bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language


MINBYUN calls for disclosure about KORUS FTA visas
South Korean civic organization MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society filed an administrative lawsuit against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) on May 15, demanding that the ministry make public a letter on professional worker visa quotas that former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Hyun-chong is said to have received from the U.S. administration.
A trade pact with Bhutan
Nepal and Bhutan will sign a trade agreement during the second joint secretary level meeting scheduled for May 24-25.
DTI seeks improved benefits from free trade agreements
The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry has started a series of consultations with the public and stakeholders on the possibility of a preferential trade agreement between the Philippines and the EU.
Japan should join TPP to boost reconstruction
The government should promptly decide to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and implement bold agricultural reforms in the disaster-hit Tohoku region, writes the Yomiuri Shimbun
EU refines trade strategy
With Asean FTA off the table, country-by-country talks are moving slowly, with some major sticking points
Employers’ associations deliberate on EPA and regional integration
The Federation of Employers’ Associations of West Africa has organised a capacity building workshop to inform, sensitise and train members on their Annual Operation Plan.
Kingdom to host 3rd COMESA meet
Swaziland will next week host the third meeting of the COMESA committee on the Customs Union.
Pharmac under fire ahead of US free-trade talks
Some of New Zealand’s most prominent businesspeople are rallying to the support of drug buying body Pharmac as lobbying firm Saunders Unsworth mounts a campaign against the agency ahead of free trade negotiations with the US.
DTI seeks improved benefits from free trade agreements
The Trade department aims to double the utilization rate of the country’s free trade agreements (FTAs) to 50% in five years as the government begins its efforts to strike a trade deal with the European Union (EU).
U.S. FTA to test new floor leaders’ resolve
All eyes are on the new floor leaders of the Grand National Party and Democratic Party, who will lead their parties until the 2012 general election.
TPPA under fire over human rights
The controversial Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is under fire over human rights issues.
Japan, EU business lobbies call for launch of FTA talks at summit
Business lobbies of Japan and the European Union have jointly called on their leaders to agree to launch negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement during a summit meeting scheduled for later this month in Brussels.
Interview: Sino-Swiss trade deal talks making good progress
Negotiations between China and Switzerland on a free trade agreement "are making good progress," the Chinese minister responsible for European trade affairs has said. China will be looking to accelerate the pace of FTA agreements with other countries too.
Disagreements hold up free trade agreements
The American Farm Bureau Federation supports the proposed US free trade agreements with Korea, Panama and Colombia, while the National Farmers Union is opposed.
Tariff Commission for FTA with KL
Bangladesh Tariff Commission (BTC) has given a positive signal to the government in striking a bilateral Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement with Malaysia, saying, the proposed deal will boost the country’s export of goods and manpower substantially in Malaysia and encourage latter’s investment in Bangladesh significantly.
Seoul should heed fallout from U.S. FTA: minister nominee
South Korea should pay more attention to reducing the fallout from its free trade deal with the U.S. since it is linked to national interest, Seoul’s farm minister nominee said Wednesday.
ISPs targeted in Pacific trade agreement
Representatives from Australia’s internet industry have called for full disclosure of a proposed free trade agreement between the United States and its allies in the Pacific, concerned that the deal asks ISPs to shoulder onerous burdens around copyright infringement.
Damac threatens international arbitration over Egyptian conviction
Damac Properties is to fight the conviction of its chairman on Egyptian corruption charges by filing a case with the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the company announced yesterday.
Republicans urged to renew TAA ahead of Korea FTA’s ratification
The free trade deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia will pass through Congress by August if Republicans renew funding for the retraining of displaced workers, the chief U.S. trade official said Thursday.
PhRMA calls for strong IP protection for biologics in TPP FTA
US pharmaceutical industry association the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is calling on the US Trade Representative to include strong intellectual property provisions, such as 12-year data protection for follow-on biologics, in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.