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US wants Panama Congress chair out
13-Sep-2007 Prensa Latina
The US is stepping up pressure to remove the president of Panama’s National Assembly, who it claims killed a US marine, so that the case will not block passage of the US-Panama FTA.
EU waiting for right political climate to seal Syria accord
13-Sep-2007 AFP
A senior European Parliament official said on Wednesday that the EU and Syria were waiting for the political climate to improve to allow the signing of an association agreement. The accord, on which the two sides completed negotiations in October 2004 but which needs ratification, aims to set up a free-trade zone by 2010.
Fair trade group seeks JPEPA renegotiation
13-Sep-2007 PDI
The Philippine Senate should hold back action on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement and instead go for renegotiation, this time involved affected sectors in the talks, said Quezon Rep. Lorenzo R. Tañada III.
Time to revive active structures for EPA debate...as civil society and EU disagree on sticking points
13-Sep-2007 Statesman
Amidst controversy, trade liberalisation is fast gaining prominence in Sub-Saharan Africa as the December deadline for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement draws near. This is attributed partly to the wave of globalisation, regional and bilateral agreements and mainly, pressure from the World Trade Organisation and the European Union.
Africa: As preferences and commodity trade fails Africa
13-Sep-2007 AllAfrica.com
The Delegation of the European Commission in Ghana has voiced out that its relationship with Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa based on preferences and commodity trade has largely failed to deliver development and it was time to take the bold step to try something new, the Economic Partnership Agreements.
Gambia: Social Forum demands extension of EPAs negotiation
13-Sep-2007 AllAfrica.com
The Gambia Social Forum demanded the extension of the deadline of negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union, on the one hand, and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, on the other.
Bilateral deals abound as APEC leaders talk Doha
13-Sep-2007 Embassy Magazine
Vietnam, Singapore, Peru and South Korea are just some of the countries Canada is discussing various trade deals with, despite saying the WTO talks are its priority.
Pakistan, US enhance cooperation: Teams formed to finalise trade, economic issues
13-Sep-2007 Daily Times
Pakistan and United States on Wednesday constituted sub-groups of high officials from both the countries to pave the way for early finalisation of issues regarding trade and economic cooperation
Kerala to pressurise Centre on including fish in FTA
12-Sep-2007 New Kerala
The Kerala government is anxiously watching the move by the European Union to import 40 varieties of fish to India, as part of the proposed Indo-EU bilateral FTA, as it would adversely affect the state’s traditional fishing sector.
Iceland moves closer to full trade deal with China
12-Sep-2007 FishUpdate
Iceland, one of the world’s largest fish producers, is moving closer to a free trade deal with China, one of the world’s fastest growing consumers of seafood. European fish processors are worried that the price of white fish, salmon and prawns could rise even higher than they are now if China becomes a fish buyer in a big way.
Africa: EPAs clashing with Everything-But-Arms trade scheme?
12-Sep-2007 IPS
The proposed economic partnership agreements (EPAs), which are due to come into force beginning next year, may undermine the benefits of another European Union trade initiative, called Everything-But-Arms, for the sugar industry.
JPEPA: Para Saan? Para Kanino?
12-Sep-2007 FairTrade
We at the Fair Trade Alliance are not convinced that the JPEPA is a good template for a productive, balanced and win-win trade and economic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.
Protesters disrupt US-NZ Partnership Forum by forcing venue change
12-Sep-2007 Scoop
New Zealanders are being warned to keep a close eye on their government’s attempts to sneak through free trade deal with the United States in the wake of protests in Auckland today.
Asean FTA may be a no-show
11-Sep-2007 Economic Times
The much-hyped proposed free trade agreement between India and Asean seems to be running into trouble. Asean’s demand that India bring down customs duties on four sensitive agricultural commodities to levels much lower than what New Delhi finds ‘acceptable’ has put a question mark over the deal.
Middle East: Bridging the Shia-Sunni divide with free trade
11-Sep-2007 IPS
While Iran and the United States exchange aggressive statements, the Arab countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have been busy building trade relations with Tehran and charting an economic course with a potential of mending ties in a tough neighbourhood.
US, NZ ’on a date’ for free trade pact
11-Sep-2007 NZ Herald
"We have already cut a free trade deal with Australia. We ought to do one with New Zealand," said US Chamber of Commerce president Tom Donohue
Mexico’s President Calderon in India to boost bilateral trade, strengthen political ties
11-Sep-2007 IHT
India and Mexico on Monday signed an agreement to scale up trade and investment
Permanent Court of Arbitration to set up facility in Singapore
11-Sep-2007 Channel News Asia
With rapid growth in the Asian economies, it is inevitable that legal issues and disputes to matters like investment treaties will arise as more and more parties enter into cross-border contracts and agreements.
Legal and development implications of inclusion of services in the EPAs
11-Sep-2007 Voices from the South Centre
South Centre has issued a policy brief "Why inclusion of services in the EPAs is problematic" which analyses legal and development implications for Eastern and Southern African countries in negotiating trade in services under the EPAs.
JTEPA to boost Thai business but lower Japan’s investment : Kosit
11-Sep-2007 Nation
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras said the Japan Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) will help boost Thailand’s business potential but Japan’s investment in Thailand will fall.