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Europe supports Morocco’s EU partnership aspirations
Morocco invited European Union leaders to Rabat on Monday to discuss the transformation of its current Association Agreement into "advanced status" with the EU. The European ministers in attendance underlined their support for the Moroccan initiative.
Fair trade group renews call for JPEPA renegotiation
The Fair Trade Alliance urged the government anew to renegotiate the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) after Senator Manuel Roxas II has favored its full ratification.
Panama and Chile to start free trade
Panama and Chile will implement a bilateral free trade agreement on March 7, signed by both countries, the Panamanian Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday.
Peru : FTA wih Canada nearing conclusion
Peru’s Foreign Minister Ms Mercedes Araoz made an announcement to the effect that Peru and Canada were close to concluding negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement.
Ecuador rules out FTA with US
Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Maria Isabel Salvador ruled out a Free Trade Agreement with the United States but defended a commercial deal with that country.
Australia: ’India’s financial sector interests us’
The new Australian government would forge closer relationship with India and take the partnership forward in key areas like energy infrastructure, agriculture and food processing, feels Simon Crean, Australia’s minister for trade.
USDA says "managed" trade agreements would hurt NAFTA
Sugar producers in the US and Mexico are suggesting new trade limits and rules for sugar be considered. But USDA Under Secretary Mark Keenum, one of the dignitaries recently in Mexico to celebrate the full implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, says no single commodity should be allowed to set new trade rules.
Revisiting (and reworking) NAFTA
As US presidential candidates jockey for position in the primaries, free trade has taken a more prominent role than anyone expected. And with the nation grappling with the threat of recession, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been coming under fire. A recently introduced bill would require improving NAFTA — or withdrawing from it.
No commitments to implementing the Arab Free Trade Agreement
The president of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists questions the fate of the Arab Free Trade Agreement ten years after its actual implementation.
Guyana mulls over membership in ALBA
Guyana Monday announced it would delay its entry into the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) — a regional economic integration project boosted by Venezuela to counter the Free Trade Area of the Americas proposed by the United States. "We will see what happens now, as we initialed the Economic Cooperation Agreement with Europe," Guyana’s Foreign Minister said.
Bangladesh eyes FTA with China
Bangladesh is eying a free trade agreement (FTA) with its biggest trading partner China. As the country has achieved a little from many multilateral and regional deals, the government plans to improve its two-way trade with major trading partners, sources said.
China, Peru to set up free trade agreement
Talks between China and Peru to set up a free trade agreement are well underway. The Andean country says it hopes to become China’s most important commercial link in Latin America.
Text of US-Mexican sugar industry deal (2008)
The US and Mexican sugar industry are trying to get a deal adopted by their governments to regulate sugar trade, now that NAFTA has dismanteled all remaining tariffs between the two countries as of 1 January 2008.
FairTrade renews call for JPEPA renegotiation
Former Senator Wigberto Tanada, lead convenor of the multi-sectoral Fair Trade Alliance (FairTrade), is hoping that Senator Mar Roxas, who is now proposing the full ratification of JPEPA, will still change his mind.
Which India, Mr Brown?
The EU’s stated aim is to use its planned free trade agreement to open up new Indian markets to European exports, especially in those areas which have traditionally been closed to foreign companies. India, which aims to win opportunities for its own exports, has asked that it be allowed some flexibility in opening up its domestic markets in order to protect the most vulnerable sectors of its economy. The EU has refused to grant India any such leeway.
Mexico farmers sow NAFTA dissent
The Mexican farmers heading to the capital in rejection of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are growing along their way.
Ecowas EPA - the facts and the falacies
From Ken Ukaoha, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS)
EU keen to renegotiate Mauritania fish deal
European Commission experts will head to Mauritania later this week to renegotiate the EU’s most valuable fishing deal with another country. The European Union has signed more than 20 bilateral fishing agreements, nearly all with developing countries and mostly in Africa, that give the EU a substantial extra supply of fish. The deal with Mauritania is the largest and most valuable.
EU eyes new bilateral pact with Vietnam by next year
EU members are keen to press ahead with the bilateral Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Vietnam. Replacing a 1995 pact, the proposed new agreement will cover areas ranging from trade and investment to science and technology, education, culture, justice, the environment and security.
Don’t pursue ’free trade’ policies: PANG
The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) says Pacific governments should not pursue foreign imposed ‘free trade’ policies that will lead to business closures and more job losses. This follows news that Flour Mills of Fiji has closed down two milling factories and put on hold $30 million worth of projects that would have created 120 new jobs.