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Realigning trade alliances
With the demise of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, a realignment of trade alliances is evident in the hemisphere—witness ALBA, Petro Caribe, expanded Mercosur. In the aftermath of the Lome Convention between the European Union and its former colonies of Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific, the age of preferential trade agreements came to an end and the era of reciprocal trade was born.
Brainstorming on breaking trade barriers in West Africa
The subject of trade barriers has been a recurring issue in the country for years. Thus, a forum that emphasised the need for African countries, West African countries in particular, to trade with each other was organised Thursday by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
PM’s visit to boost Pakistan-China trade
The representatives of business community Sunday said that Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani’s visit to China would further boost trade and strengthen economic relations between the private sectors of two countries.
Colombian FTA with Switzerland starts July 1
Colombia’s free trade agreement with Switzerland will enter into force from July 1, making the European nation the first developed country to sign such an agreement with Colombia.
Need to tighten RECs
In the inaugural tripartite summit held in Kampala, Uganda in October 2008, our heads of state and government made a number of decisions, one of which was that the 26 countries that make up the COMESA-EAC-SADC tripartite should speed up the process of integration as outlined in the Lagos plan of action and as articulated by the continental body of the African union commission.
Deals with Peru, Chile progressing
The delayed free-trade area agreement between Thailand and Peru is likely to take effect in November, while an FTA with Chile should be concluded by mid-2012, says the Commerce Ministry.
China-SADC investment forum held in South Africa
China, South Africa’s leading trade partner which has been in the past focusing its investment interests in the country’s mining and manufacturing sectors will soon "diversify" to other economic sectors and industries promoting job creation in South Africa, the Chinese investment body revealed Thursday.
Egypt probes illegal transactions
UAE companies that have invested in Egypt may stand to lose millions of dollars as the state runs an investigation into alleged corruption by former government officials who sold land and assets to investors below market prices, lawyers say.
Nepal: Bilateral trade talks with Bhutan on Tuesday
Nepal and Bhutan are holding bilateral trade talks in Bhutanese capital city Thimpu on Tuesday in order to promote bilateral trade between the two landlocked countries in South Asia.
SAARC Chamber vows to promote trade
All members of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) unanimously resolved to promote trade and strengthen economic ties besides accelerating the developmental activities among member countries.
India to protect automobile industry in free trade agreement with EU: Commerce and Industry Minister
India will protect its automobile industry as it has reached the final stages of negotiations for a free trade agreement with European Union.
Japan, China, South Korea Eye Trade Pact
The leaders of Japan, China and South Korea pledged Sunday to speed up laying the ground work for a possible three-way free trade pact, in a step to revitalize discussions in light of the economic damage from the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11.
FTAs touted as economic panacea
The nation should seek to improve its economic performance by encouraging local enterprises to enhance their research and development and marketing capabilities, and stepping up the signing of free-trade agreements (FTA) with major global trading nations, economists said yesterday.
India seeks trade pact with MERCOSUR
India is soon going to launch negotiations to have a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) with Latin American trading bloc MERCOSUR even as it looks to “expedite” the talks to have a preferential trade agreement with the South African Customs Union (SACU).
Investment treaties undemocratic
A proposal to put an end to the highly anti-democratic nature of the European Union’s Bilateral Investment Treaties was heavily watered down by a plenary voting in the European Parliament. However, in their current form the treaties may pose a serious risk for European democracy.
Doha talks on trade may need to be ended, US envoy Kirk says
The decade-old Doha round of World Trade Organization negotiations may have to be revamped or ended, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said.
US, partners set target for TransPacific trade deal
The United States and eight other Asia Pacific countries agreed on Thursday to strive for the "broad outlines" of a free trade pact by the time President Barack Obama hosts a regional summit in Hawaii in November.
CIS PMs fail to agree on creation of free trade zone
The prime ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries failed to reach an agreement on the creation of a free trade zone during the meeting of the CIS heads of governments in Minsk on Thursday, local media reported.
US steps up pressure on Guatemala to enforce labor laws
The Obama administration announced yesterday that because Guatemala has not taken sufficient steps to effectively enforce its labor laws, as required under the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), it is requesting a meeting of the Free Trade Commission.
Conglomerate heads urge quick approval of U.S. FTA
Leaders of South Korea’s largest business groups urged the nation’s parliament Thursday to quickly ratify a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States signed four years ago.