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VP targets free trade talks to conclude by 2019-end
Vice President Jusuf Kalla has set a target to finalize talks on the free trade agreement between Indonesia and countries or regions, with potential market, by the end of the year.
RCEP Ministerial Meeting makes little progress as Indian minister absent and Japan and South Korea clash
The official statement from the RCEP Ministerial Meeting held on August 2-3 said the RCEP talks “must keep the momentum towards concluding negotiations within the year.” But actual progress of the negotiations is slow.
Hindu nationalist group says India unlikely to accept China-led trade deal
India is unlikely to sign a China-backed Asia-Pacific trade pact because of opposition from industry and farmers, a powerful nationalist group tied to Prime Narendra Modi.
Free trade agreement between Singapore and Britain in the works: Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore is working with Britain on a trade deal that will port the provisions of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) to the United Kingdom, said Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
Norway-China FTA talks ‘on track’ as salmon market competition intensifies
Negotiations towards a free trade agreement (FTA) between Norway and China are “developing positively”, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC)’s China envoy, with 15 rounds of talks held so far.
Spain loses another dispute over premium cuts on renewables
Spain will have to pay EUR 41 million to German solar investor SolEs Badajoz GmbH for retroactively cutting long-term premiums for renewable energy projects.
Author discusses ‘monstrous’ prospects for NHS after no-deal Brexit
US president Donald Trump stood next to outgoing-PM Theresa May and insisted the NHS would be “on the table” in any trade deal.
Investor-state disputes in Africa
In May 2017, out of 613 cases brought under the ICSID Convention and Additional Facility Rules, 135 cases involved African states, of which 45% were brought based on states’ consent in BITs.
Africa wants one trade deal with the US, the US wants many
The African Union prefers a continent-wide deal with the US while the US wants bilateral deals when AGOA expires.
Malik to hold talks in India to resume ETCA
Sri Lankan International Trade Minister plans to hold ministerial-level discussions with Indian counterparts during his visit to India this week, in order to resume trade negotiations.
Reko Diq controversy
In June 2000 the government in power signed a joint venture with Pakistan getting 25% and BHP getting bulk 75%. It was in violation of the internationally established practice of sharing half revenues.
India should act tough and exit RCEP
Most industrial sectors, farmers rightly fear an import deluge. The Centre seems to have realised this; it needs to decide fast.
More precious than gold: community resistance v corporate courts
UK registered mining company Lydian is using corporate courts to bully the Armenian government into cracking down on public protests that have successfully resisted a gold mine.
If a no-deal Brexit happens, mega corporations could sue the government for billions in secret courts
The Armenian government is currently being sued by a corporation for two thirds of its entire government budget. If the UK crashes out on 31 October, it could suffer a similar fate.
EU struggles to strike trade pacts with major ASEAN countries
Sticking points could hinder other deals, as Vietnam gains from recent agreement
Trump announces agreement on beef trade with EU
The EU has agreed to increase the quota allocated to US beef exporters to 35,000 tonnes a year. The total quota of non-hormone-beef permitted to enter the EU market will remain unchanged at 45,000 tonnes.
Farmers dump manure outside French lawmakers’ offices in CETA protest
Tonnes of manure were dropped and concrete blocks were built outside the offices of two lawmakers from Emmanuel Macron’s LaREM party.
Against the tide: the growth of China-Sri Lanka trade
Chinese trade with the island nation is booming even while Indian trade seems stuck. The recent rise of China-Sri Lanka economic relations has been the subject of much discussion, debate, and analysis.
Australia to pressure China, India on EU-style Asian trade agreement
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham will hold high-level talks with his Chinese and Indian counterparts from Thursday in a bid to break down Indian resistance to removing agricultural tariffs.
RCEP talks likely to conclude this year, official says
China says RCEP negotiations make positive notable progress in many aspects, expected to conclude the talks within this year.