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Rift over FTA could harm Gulf economic integration
23-Dec-2004 Khaleej Times
The Saudi-Bahraini dispute over Manama’s free trade pact with Washington that overshadowed a summit of Gulf Arab states could derail their bid for economic integration, economists said yesterday.
EFTA and Korea launch free trade negotiations
23-Dec-2004 EFTA Secretariat
The Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland - and the Republic of Korea met in Geneva on 16 December 2004 to launch negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, which they agree to aim at concluding before the end of 2005.
EFTA and Tunisia conclude free trade agreement
23-Dec-2004 EFTA
On the occasion of their Ministerial Meeting in Geneva on 17 December 2004, the Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland - signed a Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Tunisia.
Turkey, Syria sign free trade agreement
23-Dec-2004 Tehran Times
Turkey and Syria signed a free trade agreement on Wednesday and discussed how to keep Iraq united and stable despite the violence sweeping their neighbor.
Japan adopts FTA policy focusing on partners in Asia
22-Dec-2004 Japan Times
The government on Tuesday approved a basic plan to promote free-trade agreements, prioritizing accords with Asian trading partners to help build an East Asian community. It also adopted a set of 12 criteria to choose potential FTA partners, envisioning future negotiations with trading partners outside East Asia.
Rules of origin: US, Thai FTA’s ’most restrictive’
22-Dec-2004 News.com.au
An Australian Productivity Commission report into trade and assistance reviews found conditions attached to the free trade agreements signed with the United States and Thailand would be more restrictive than similar deals.
US trade tactic splits Arab states
22-Dec-2004 IPS
A free trade deal between the United States and the tiny Persian Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain is causing friction with other Arab states, which say the pact could weaken their economic bloc ahead of future trade talks with Washington.
Critique of the proposed Chile-New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership (P3 with Singapore)
21-Dec-2004 ARENA
The New Zealand, Chile and Singapore governments are promoting a P-3 whose primary - and arguably only - beneficiaries are the transnational companies that straddle two of the three countries, including opportunists who locate there to take advantage of the deal. The greatest potential beneficiaries are the agribusiness interests of Fonterra and Nestle as they promote their shared strategy to dominate Latin America’s dairy industry.
Arena launches sign-on letter to oppose the P-3
21-Dec-2004 Scoop
ARENA today stepped up its campaign against the proposed Chile/New Zealand free trade agreement, which forms part of the Pacific 3 (P-3) with Singapore, by launching a sign-on letter to the Prime Minister calling on her to end the negotiations.
Release of NZ-Thai CEP agreement texts
21-Dec-2004 Scoop
The New Zealand government today published the text of the Closer Economic Partnership agreement between New Zealand and Thailand.
Japan panel urges steps to speed free trade accords
20-Dec-2004 Reuters
Japan needs to work on loosening restrictions in domestic agriculture and labour and to work effectively to more swiftly forge free trade agreements (FTAs), the government’s top advisory panel said on Monday.
The benefits and dangers of bilateral FTAs for Indonesia
20-Dec-2004 Jakarta Post
It might be that the best path of all for the Indonesian government to reassess its commitment to pursue free trade. Bilateral FTAs are nothing more than hidden tools used to secure the privileges and the wealth of multinational corporations and to advance the interests of powerful governments.
Malaysian PM calls for FTA with India
20-Dec-2004 Times of India
Malaysian PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmed Badawi on Monday underlined the need to strengthen India-Malaysia economic and trade co-operation through a free-trade agreement (FTA).
Analysis: Why say no to FTAA
19-Dec-2004 Znet
Colombia will suffer the same fate with either the FTAA or the [US] FTA, since it is clear that it is the same policy initiated in 1990, but elevated to the nth power.
Assess strengths, needs before going for FTA
19-Dec-2004 The Daily Star
Speakers at a business session yesterday said Bangladesh and Malaysia can strike a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) after taking into account the strengths and needs of both these countries.
Saifur favours FTA with Malaysia
19-Dec-2004 The New Nation
Bangladesh Finance Minister Saifur proposed to initiate Bangladesh-Malaysia free trade agreement if sub-regional economic bloc among the OIC [Organisation of the Islamic Conference] member-states is not possible.
Prospects for Korea-US free trade agreement
19-Dec-2004 Korea Times
While there have been suggestions that the second GW Bush administration may consider an FTA with Korea, any such agreement would be an uphill battle for several reasons.
Japan proposes FTA talks with South Korea in January
18-Dec-2004 Channel News Asia
Japan’s Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura proposed Saturday Japan and South Korea hold talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) as early as January next year.
ASEAN and China sign ’dirty’ FTA
18-Dec-2004 Taipei Times
ASEAN on Dec. 2 signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with China, a move that has grabbed the world’s attention. The agreement won’t take force until 2010. But since it involves a realignment in the region’s integration, it has caused a domino effect.
Japan-S. Korea FTA faces stormy ride
18-Dec-2004 Yomiuri Shimbun
Negotiations to conclude a free trade agreement between Japan and South Korea are expected to face tough going because of ongoing disputes in specific areas of bilateral trade.