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RI seeks closer trade ties with US
25-Mar-2006 Jakarta Post
After four years of stagnant trade relations, the government plans to start intensifying talks with the United States and support a joint-study group on a possible free trade agreement (FTA) with the country, a minister says.
India-Asean FTA hits a roadblock
25-Mar-2006 NDTV
The India-Asean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has hit a roadblock with Agriculture Ministry objecting to inclusion of farm products like pepper, rubber, palm oil, coffee and tea in the tariff liberalisation programme.
Indigenous movement proposes to assume its own power
25-Mar-2006 Granma International
Given the rejection by Ecuadorian president Alfredo Palacio of the demands made by the popular sector, the indigenous movement is today to assume power itself and convene a popular consultation on the Free Trade Agreement.
’Fisheries could lose W80 billion under US FTA’
24-Mar-2006 Chosunibo
Once tariffs are removed under a putative free-trade agreement with the US, Korea’s domestic fishing industry could lose between W51.1 billion (US$51 million) and W84.9 billion (US$87 million).
Kamal Nath for separate FTA with Bangladesh
24-Mar-2006 The Hindu
India is for a South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) "plus’’ a separate free trade arrangement with Bangladesh that would address the existing trade imbalance between the two countries, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said on Wednesday.
FTA Watch statement: In support of Korean people’s struggle against the Korea-US FTA
24-Mar-2006
Although Thailand and South Korea are different in terms of development, people in both countries share a common demand for the protection of their right to affordable medicines and treatment.
US will seek fast renewal of trade authority: Portman
23-Mar-2006 Reuters
The top US trade official said on Wednesday he would push for quick renewal of trade promotion authority, which allows the White House to negotiate agreements that Congress must approve or reject but cannot change.
Some European countries call for endorsing Association Agreement with Syria
23-Mar-2006 SANA
A source of the Higher Committee Specialized in Following up Issues of Partnership Association between Syria and EU has said that the EU has started to issue positive signals regarding agreement with Syria, particularly that some EU countries consider that there is no excuse for delaying signing the agreement after two years of initialing it.
Ecuador: Protests against free trade reach critical juncture
23-Mar-2006 Upside Down World
The Ecuadorian government declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, March 21 after countrywide protests and roadblocks led by indigenous peasants intensified.
Malaysia’s Mahathir fears planned FTA with U.S. could have ’adverse’ consequences
22-Mar-2006 The Star
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday warned that a free trade agreement with the United States could harm Malaysia, claiming that a similar pact signed with Japan recently has brought no benefits.
Ecuador: rioting against free trade agreement with US escalates
22-Mar-2006 MercoPress
Ecuador’s main Indian federation claimed Monday that 30 peasants had been hospitalized and over 100 arrested during violent protests against a free trade pact with the United States scheduled to be signed in the coming days.
How to beat US trade barriers
22-Mar-2006 Asia Times
The transshipment issue — the illicit movement of shoes, shrimp and garments that have been repackaged, re-labeled and re-exported after being shipped to Indonesia — has cast a shadow over recently warmed US-Indonesian bilateral relations and threaten to damage the Southeast Asian country’s chances of a full free-trade agreement (FTA) with the US.
EU eyeing free trade deals in Asia: Mandelson
22-Mar-2006 Financial Express
The European Union is exploring the prospect of free trade deals with Asian nations once the current round of world trade talks is over, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said on Tuesday.
India in center of effort for world’s largest free trade area
22-Mar-2006 World Peace Herald
India is pushing ahead on negotiations for free trade agreements with a series of Asian and Middle East countries that are expected to result in the emergence of the world’s largest free trade area by population.
Venezuela’s Chavez lashes out at free trade pacts while agreeing to El Salvador fuel sales
22-Mar-2006 AP
Chavez argues that US-proposed free-trade pacts would help big US companies at the expense of Latin America’s poor.
Economic Partnership Agreement talks look at labor mobility to Europe
22-Mar-2006 PINA
Negotiations for possible movement of labour from the Pacific to Europe is part of discussions under the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) currently underway.
Free trade, minus the warmth and the longing
22-Mar-2006 Daily Star
In Egypt, just because a couple is engaged doesn’t mean they’ll get married.
US seeks trade insurance with bilateral pacts
22-Mar-2006 FT
It’s always wise to have a Plan B. As the US urges progress in the “Doha round” of trade talks, it is also chasing bilateral trade deals across east Asia.
Ecuadorean police fight trade protesters
22-Mar-2006 AP
Police fired tear gas at stone-throwing Indians as they blocked roadways around the capital with rocks and tree trunks Tuesday during protests against free-trade talks with Washington.
China’s largest bank plans India foray
22-Mar-2006 Business Standard
After almost two years since Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation exited India, the biggest Chinese bank-Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)-has evinced interest in setting up operations in India.