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Milking Thailand: The Thai-Australia Free Trade Agreement
18-Nov-2004 Focus on the Global South
In Thailand, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) debates were heated. Farmers and critics claim that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s government sold out small farmers to their own big business interests. They took to the streets in protest while Thaksin lambasted them and obscured negotiation details.
Senate debate begins on Thai FTA deal
18-Nov-2004
Debate has begun in the Senate on laws enabling the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement to take effect from next year.
FTA to create opportunities: Zoellick
18-Nov-2004
The free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and the United States would create real economic opportunities in both countries for businesses, farmers, and workers, US trade representative Robert Zoellick said.
New World Bank study on regional and bilateral trade agreements
18-Nov-2004 WB
This report addresses two questions: What are the characteristics of agreements that strongly promote-or hinder-development for member countries? Does the proliferation of agreements pose risks to the multilateral trading system, and how can those risks be managed?
Viet Nam eyes more FTA involvement
17-Nov-2004 VNS
Viet Nam will start its first round of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Japan and South Korea next year, as well as prepare for negotiations with Australia and New Zealand in the near future, said a Ministry of Trade official on Monday.
Roh, Lula agree to launch study into Korea-Mercosur FTA
17-Nov-2004 Yonhap
South Korea and Brazil have agreed to launch a joint feasibility study into signing a Free Trade Agreement between South Korea and the South American common market of Mercosur.
Apec FTA proposal raising interest
17-Nov-2004 NZPA
A proposal for an Asia-Pacific free trade agreement is attracting significant interest at a ministerial-level meeting of member countries in Santiago, Chile, NZ Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today.
Oman keen on signing FTA with US
17-Nov-2004 Gulf Daily News
The Bush administration said on Monday it would begin free trade negotiations with Oman, as well as the UAE, as part of Bush’s efforts to promote economic growth in the Middle East.
Andean nations clash with US on patenting life forms
17-Nov-2004 IPS
Access to genetic resources in South America’s Andean region, which holds a quarter of the planet’s biodiversity, is a point of discord in the free trade agreement that the United States has been negotiating with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru since May.
US announces intent to negotiate FTAs with UAE and Oman
16-Nov-2004 USTR
US Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick today announced the Administration’s intent to negotiate Free Trade Agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.
Japan, Chile to set up joint FTA study board
14-Nov-2004
Japan and Chile are expected to set up a joint study board aimed at concluding a free trade agreement.
Chile wants study of RTAs and FTAs within Asia-Pacific
14-Nov-2004 Malaysia Star
Chile wants a study of regional trading arrangements (RTAs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) within the Asia Pacific region, and this is likely to be discussed by the leaders at the forthcoming APEC Summit in Santiago.
Lockwood Smith: Second-term Bush presidency good for world trade
13-Nov-2004 New Zealand Herald
While terrorism and security are, for good reason, high in people’s minds right now, global trade developments are critically important for New Zealand over the next two to three years.
Thailand: Academics call for temporary suspension of FTA talks with US
13-Nov-2004 MCOT
Thai academics called on the government on Friday to temporarily suspend ongoing free trade area (FTA) negotiations with the United States, and suggested it to identify impacts on the country’s intellectual property rights and agricultural products.
US Senator: Egypt, US free trade agreement negotiations begin soon
13-Nov-2004 Arabic News
Chairman of the US Congress Budged Committee Senator Bill Thomas said Egypt-US Free Trade Area (FTA) talks would soon begin.
EU takes piracy fight to non-EU countries
12-Nov-2004 Out-law.com
The European Commission yesterday launched a new campaign to tackle IPR deficiencies in countries outside the European Union.
ABAC: Assessment of the Proposal for an FTAAP
12-Nov-2004 ABAC
An Issues Paper for the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)
Trading in food safety? The impact of trade agreements on quarantine in Australia
12-Nov-2004 The Australia Institute
Australia has always enjoyed rigorous national food standards that were applied equally to both domestically produced and imported food. The capacity to maintain and apply these standards, however, is now being undermined by international trade agreements and procedures for settling trade disputes with a result that challenges to public health are being significantly increased.
The Indian connection
11-Nov-2004
SINGAPORE’S High Commissioner to India is optimistic about a favourable outcome soon to negotiations for an economic cooperation agreement that is expected to open up substantial business opportunities for the two countries.
Singapore -Thailand see need to implement ASEAN free trade earlier
11-Nov-2004
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his visiting Singapore counterpart Lee Hsian Loong have shared the same view that the planned ASEAN trade liberalization should be implemented and achieved earlier than originally set in 2020, according to Government Spokesman Chakraphob Penkair.