Philippines begins study for FTA with EU
Tax News, 31 July, 2012
As part of the European Commission’s developing negotiations towards trade treaties with the individual ten countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines has begun a study into a possible free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU). More…
Indo-Israel FTA likely by this year-end
Business Standard, 31 July, 2012
The India and Israel Free Trade Agreement (Indo-Israel FTA) is likely to be signed by the end of this year or in the second quarter of next year, according to Yahel Vilan, minister and deputy chief of mission, Israel Embassy. More…
Korea, Turkey to ink FTA on Wednesday
Korea Herald, Seoul, 30 July, 2012
Korea and Turkey are scheduled to ink a bilateral free trade agreement and an agreement on trade in goods on Wednesday in Ankara, Seoul’s Trade Ministry said on Monday. More…
Impact of EU trade pact studied
BusinessWorld, Manila, 29 July, 2012
The government will soon start consultations to identify sectors that stand to gain or lose from a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU), a senior official told reporters on Friday. More…
Israel, Korea hope to start negotiations on free trade pact
Korea Herald, Seoul, 29 July, 2012
Israel and Korea hope to begin formal free trade negotiations next year, according to Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister on Thursday. More…
DPP lawmaker calls for more research on critical issues
Taipei Times, Taiwan, 29 July, 2012
Systematic research and policy formulation on critical issues such as free-trade agreements (FTA) are important for Taiwan and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), according to DPP Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim. More…
FPCCI against trade agreement with UAE
The Zimbio, UAE, 28 July, 2012
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Saturday opposed the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which, its office-bearers said, would ruin the local industry by inundating the domestic market with foreign, cheap products. More…
Call to accelerate regional integration
Fiji Times, 28 July, 2012
THE Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat secretary general, Tuiloma Neroni Slade wants the region to intensify and accelerate its efforts towards regional integration. More…
Vietnam, Russia to kick-start FTA negotiations
VietNamNet Bridge, 27 July, 2012
Top Vietnamese and Russian leaders have agreed to accelerate negotiations and the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the customs alliance of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. More…
Azerbaijan, Argentina sign agreement on trade and economic cooperation
Trend, Azerbaijan, 27 July, 2012
The Azerbaijani and Argentine foreign ministers signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in trade-economic sphere. More…
SA to stay away from bilateral treaties: Davies
Sapa, 26 July, 2012
South Africa will avoid entering into bilateral investment treaties (BITs) in future, except where there are compelling economic and political circumstances, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said on Thursday. More…
New Zealand upset over Indias silence on opening farm and dairy sector to imports
The Economic Times, 26 July, 2012
The proposed free trade agreement between India and New Zealand has hit a speed breaker due to the Centre`s silence on opening the country`s dairy and farm goods sector to imports. The broad-based free trade agreement that proposes to cover goods, services and investment was supposed to be concluded by March. More…
FTA cant be relaxed for China
Stock & Land, 26 July, 2012
THE Gillard government has warned China that there is little prospect of a free-trade agreement (FTA) being approved by federal Parliament if it includes more liberal rules for Chinese investment in Australia. More…
EU to intensify cooperation with Israel: double standards in practice
AIC, 25 July 2012
Barely two months after the EU Council Conclusions, stating that Israeli activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory were undermining the two-state solution, the EU has just offered Israel 60 new activities of cooperation during the Association Council meeting it held with Israel in Brussels on July24th. More…
UK envoy urges US, EU seize chance to launch trade talks
Reuters, 25 July, 2012
The United States and the European Union should seize a promising opportunity to restore much-needed economic growth by starting bilateral free trade talks early next year, Britain`s ambassador to the United States said on Wednesday. More…
Malaysia headquartered Axiata Group threatens Indian government with international arbitration
The Economic Times, 23 July, 2012
Malaysia headquartered Axiata Group, which holds about 20% stake in Idea Cellular has threatened claim damages and drag the Indian government to international arbitration under bilateral investment protection pacts (BIPA), making it the sixth international investor in the telecoms space to serve notice under bilateral trade agreements. More…
Colombia strengthens ‘blood’ brotherhood with Korea
Korea Herald, Seoul, 22 July, 2012
The Korea-Colombia Free Trade Agreement will be a win-win opportunity for both economies and help further strengthen the “brotherhood” forged through blood during the Korea War, the Colombian Ambassador said Tuesday. More…
Ma touts FTAs as way to revive flagging economy
Taipei Times, Taiwan, 22 July, 2012
President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday pledged to speed up trade liberalization and raise the nation’s international competitiveness by seeking to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) within the next eight years and signing free-trade agreements (FTA) with major trade partners. More…
Free trade pact with EU likely by year-end
The Hindu, India, 21 July, 2012
The Central government is hopeful of concluding the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) by the end of this year. More…
Japan, Turkey agree to start study on EPA
Daily Yomiuri, Japan, 21 July, 2012
Japan and Turkey have agreed to launch a joint study on concluding an economic partnership agreement between the two countries. More…
Iran, Armenia to Establish Joint Free Trade Zone
FARS News Agency, 21 July, 2012
A senior Iranian official announced Iran and Armenia’s plans to establish a joint free trade zone. More…
EPA would boost Japan, European economies
Daily Yomiuri, Japan, 20 July, 2012
Both Japan and the European Union would reap substantial benefits and enjoy growth if the two concluded an economic partnership agreement, the European Commission said Wednesday. More…
Ukraine, EU initialed FTA agreement
QHA, 20 July, 2012
Ukraine and the European Union have initialed on Thursday the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Ukrainian News Agency has disclosed. More…
Call to bar alcohol from Thailand-EU FTA
Bangkok Post, 20 July, 2012
The National Economical and Social Advisory Council (Nesac) has urged the government to exclude alcoholic beverages from the list of goods to be covered by the proposed Thailand-EU free trade agreement (FTA). More…
FTAs not cause of trade boom in Asia, says ADB
The Economics Times, 19 July, 2012
Free trade agreements cannot be credited for the increase in intra-Asian trade as they are often restrictive in scope and difficult to implement, the Asian Development Bank said Thursday. More…
Thailand, Germany to speed up free trade agreement
The Nation, 19 July, 2012
Thailand and Germany have agreed to accelerate negotiations to conclude a free trade agreement between Thailand and the European Union (EU) as a key mechanism to boost mutual trade and investment. More…
Ford upset EU wants Japan free-trade talks
The Detroit News, 19 July, 2012
Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday was the first automaker to voice displeasure after the European Union announced it wants to start free-trade negotiations with Japan. More…
EU calls for launch of FTA talks with Japan
English.news.cn, 19 July, 2012
The European Union (EU)’s executive arm on Wednesday called on its member states to start Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with Japan. More…
Canada’s path to trade with Asia goes through Europe
The Ottawa Citizen, 18 July, 2012
As another round of CETA negotiations takes place in Brussels this week, the Canadian government must know that an early and good trade agreement with Europe is crucial to Canada’s new economic and trade agenda in Asia. More…
India, Russia agree on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with Belarus-Kazakhstan
Press Trust of India, 17 July, 2012
With an aim to boost trade ties, India and Russia have agreed to jointly study a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with Belarus-Kazakhstan and exuded confidence to achieve an ambitious trade target of $ 20 billion by 2015. More…
Burma hopes for end of EU tariffs
Mizzima News, 17 July, 2012
Burmese authorities are now discussing the lifting of tariff taxes with European countries under the EU-Asean Free Trade Agreement (FTA). More…
TPP talks likely to conclude by October 2013
The Sun Daily, 16 July, 2012
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which has gone through 13 rounds of negotiations, could be concluded by October next year, East Asian International Economic Law and Policy Programme chairman Lim Chin Leng said. More…
Korea ratchets up drive to upgrade FTA with ASEAN
The Korea Herald, 15 July, 2012
Korea is stepping up efforts to seal high-level bilateral free trade pacts with some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in a bid to further boost trade volume, Seoul’s Trade Ministry said Sunday. More…
India, Peru consider free trade pact to boost trade
Business Standard, India, 13 July, 2012
India and Peru are exploring the possibility of signing a free trade agreement (FTA) which would gradually eliminate tariffs on most of goods and services traded between the two countries. More…
Private sector pushes free trade with EU
Bangkok Post, 12 July, 2012
With the euro-zone crisis likely to run into the fourth quarter next year, the government is being urged to step up Thailand-EU free trade agreement talks to allow Thai products to gain greater access to European markets. More…
Commission pushes for Japan trade deal
European Voice, 12 July, 2012
The European Commission will next Wednesday (18 July) ask member states for a mandate to start talks with Japan on a bilateral free-trade deal. More…
FTAs push S. Korean farmers into ’sink or swim’ crises
Asahi Shimbun, 11 July, 2012
South Korea—Hailed as a boost for the South Korean economy, a flurry of recent free trade agreements has instead left longtime hog farmers such as Son Byeong-ok in tears. More…
Ban on settlement goods wouldn’t break EU laws
Middle East Monitor, 11 July, 2012
Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law. This is a fact, accepted by most countries in the world, so prohibition of trade with these settlements – distinct from a ban on Israel proper – might seem like a no-brainer. More…
CETA is the new ACTA: Leaked intellectual property chapter sparks angst
Council-of-Canadians, 10 July, 2012
According to the Toronto Star’s Internet law columnist Michael Geist, Canada and the European Union are trying to ratify the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement through the backdoor, by including almost all its Internet and enforcement provisions in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).. More…
India protests EU study on its data laws
The Times of India, 09 July, 2012
India has protested a European Union decision to study India’s data protection laws to find out if they are in conformity with those in the 27-nation grouping. More…
Thailand-EU FTA talks to go through Parliament
Bangkok Post, 09 July, 2012
The scope of talks for the Thailand-EU free trade agreement will likely be concluded and submitted for parliamentary endorsement next month. More…
Controversial copyright rules threaten Canada – European trade deal
Toronto Star, 07 July, 2012
In October 2007, several leading economies, including the U.S., European Union, and Canada, announced plans to negotiate the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). More…
Mauritius expresses interest for FTA with India
Rediff.com, India, 06 July, 2012
Mauritius on Friday expressed interest to start talks for a free trade agreement with India. More…
Taiwan, South Korea start talks on investment pact
Focus Taiwan, 06 July, 2012
Taiwan has started talks with South Korea on a bilateral investment protection agreement, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Francis Liang said Friday. More…
We’ll lose under trade deal, says Groser
New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 07 July, 2012
Trade Negotiations Minister Tim Groser admits that the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal involves some loss of sovereignty for New Zealand – but says that is normal for trade agreements. More…
Korea, China to negotiate sensitive agricultural, industrial items separately
Korea Herald, Seoul, 06 July, 2012
Korea and China have confirmed their basic positions on the bilateral free trade agreement, but have yet to reach an agreement on key issues such as the level of tariff concessions and the choice of sensitive and ultra-sensitive items. More…
Analysis: Carmakers dampen EU’s free-trade drive
Reuters, 06 July, 2012
South Korea’s biggest car maker, Hyundai Motor Co, decided to boost its European presence five years ago, adding a family sedan and a sporty-looking crossover SUV to its smaller hatchbacks. More…
EU to delay launch of FTA talks
The Japan Times, 04 July, 2012
Negotiations between Japan and the European Union over crafting a free-trade agreement will not begin until this fall or later due to persistent reluctance among the European auto industry, according to senior officials at the Foreign Ministry. More…
Canada can’t crack inner circle of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement
Macleans.ca, 03 July, 2012
Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement (TPP), Canada may have been invited to the party, but we are not yet part of the club. More…
EU, PH to engage in fresh FTA talks
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 02 July, 2012
The Philippines may start fresh talks with the European Union in the third quarter to iron out a proposed bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), according to the country’s chief trade negotiator. More…
Exports to EU dwindle 12% after FTA
Chosun Ilbo, 02 July, 2012
Korea’s exports to the EU dwindled 12 percent on-year since the Korea-EU FTA went into effect on July 1, 2011, according to data released by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance on Saturday. More…
GCC, India seen to sign FTA within a year
Business Standard, 02 July, 2012
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and India are expected conclude a free trade agreement for boosting trade within a year, K K M Kutty, former chairman of industry chamber CII (southern region), has said. More…
Agreement with Europe begins to kick
Jamaica Observer, 01 July, 2012
A statement credited to Alexander Walford, policy officer of the Caribbean-European Union (EU) in the European Commission, says that eight Caribbean countries have not implemented tariff cuts on EU goods as required by the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in 2008. More…