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Thailand hopeful of RCEP deal despite scant progress
19-Jun-2019 The Nation
Thailand maintains the RCEP historic deal involving 16 economies can be finalised by November.
The impact of Thailand’s FTAs on US agri-food exports
19-Jun-2019 Global Agricultural Information Network
US govt says Thailand’s FTAs - with China, Australia, NZ, Japan, India, ASEAN, Chile and Peru - have hurt US agri-food exports to Thailand.
China wants Asia free trade pact without India
19-Jun-2019 Nikkei Asian Review
China is proposing a new Asian free trade agreement that excludes India, throwing a wrench into plans for the 16-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
India, Kyrgyzstan have prepared 5 year roadmap to increase bilateral trade: PM Modi
18-Jun-2019 The Hindu Business Line
India and Kyrgyztan have given the final shape to the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and the bilateral investment treaty.
ASEAN, Japan, South Korea are misusing FTA: PPMAI
18-Jun-2019 The Hindu Business Line
Process Plant and Machinery Association of India (PPMAI) stated do not include capital goods in RCEP.
340+ organisations call on the EU to immediately halt trade negotiations with Brazil
18-Jun-2019 S2B
In an open letter, over 340 civil society organisations are demanding that the European Union immediately halt free trade agreement negotiations with the Mercosur bloc (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) on the grounds of deteriorating human rights and environmental conditions in Brazil.
Hungary appeals Sodexo award with ICSID
17-Jun-2019 Budapest Business Journal
Hungary has filed to annul an award of some EUR 73 million, before interest, to French food voucher company Sodexo, granted in an arbitration ruling by the World Bankʼs International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), state news agency MTI reported, citing case information on ICSIDʼs website.
QICDRC sign deal to become hub for dispute resolution
17-Jun-2019 Gulf Times
Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center (QICDRC) on Sunday entered into a pact with a World Bank body as part of plans to enhance its profile in the global judicial system and establish itself as a hub for dispute resolution.
Why Nigeria should sign AfCFTA agreement – AfDB
14-Jun-2019 Daily Trust
Nigeria’s failure to sign the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement may hold the continent back on its economic prosperity drive, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has said.
Commerce Minister reviews free trade pacts
14-Jun-2019 The Hindu
Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reviewed India’s free trade agreements (FTAs) with partner countries such as Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and the 10-member ASEAN to identify problem areas for the Indian industry and the opportunities they could offer.
Lebanon’s industry minister calls for modifications in free trade agreements
13-Jun-2019 Xinhua
Lebanese Industry Minister Wael Abou Faour called on Wednesday for the revision of free trade agreements signed between Lebanon and other countries aimed at protecting the industry sector in the country, the National News Agency reported.
Legitimacy concerns of the proposed multilateral investment court: Is democracy possible?
13-Jun-2019 South Centre
The EU wants to replace traditional party-appointed arbitrators with a two-tiered investment tribunal system comprised by a roster of members selected by the state parties on the treaty. This essay argues that the creation of the multilateral investment court needs to follow democratic principles in order to be legitimate.
13 RCEP nations oppose India’s strict country of origin norms
13-Jun-2019 The Economic Times
At least 13 countries have opposed India’s proposal for strict criteria to determine the source country of a product, based on which they get tariff concessions or duties, in the RCEP trade pact.
SL-China likely to resume FTA talks
13-Jun-2019 Daily Mirror
Sri Lanka and China have agreed to resume the stalled free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.
Asean-Hong Kong FTA enters force to begin intra-regional tariff removals
12-Jun-2019 Global Trade Review
Five members of the ASEAN have implemented a FTA with Hong Kong to remove tariffs, improve access for intra-regional service providers and eliminate pervasive non-tariff barriers to trade.
Backlash against investor-state dispute settlement mechanism
12-Jun-2019 Daily Asian Age
Three investment cases brought against Bangladesh to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes by foreign investors largely curved the regulatory powers of Bangladesh for public purposes.
Indian, Chinese officials hold dialogue to break deadlock in RCEP trade negotiations
12-Jun-2019 Hindu Business Line
“We are trying to reduce the gap between the market access being demanded by China and what India has to offer. Till this matter is resolved it will be difficult to make progress in the overall RCEP negotiations,” a government official told Hindu BusinessLine
Mine owner takes govt to arbitration
12-Jun-2019 Bangkok Post
Australian gold mining firm Kingsgate Consolidated is seeking negotiations with the new Thai government over the case in which it was ordered to cease mining operations in Phichit two years ago.
UN study shows more governments rejecting or limiting foreign investor-rights to sue governments (ISDS)
12-Jun-2019 AFTINET
A new study of trade and investment deals concluded in 2018 by UNCTAD shows that most have either omitted ISDS altogether or severely limited its scope, reports AFTINET
Africa-wide free-trade deal will help SA’s economy, says Ebrahim Patel
11-Jun-2019 Business Day
In 2018, SA and other African nations signed the CFTA agreement, which aims to create a single continental market for goods and services