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Saudi Arabia accession to WTO (2005)
30-Sep-2005
Information sheets from USTR
Bahrain societies flay move to normalise ties with Israel
30-Sep-2005 Gulf News
Nineteen societies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have rapped moves to normalise relations with Israel and called for joint national and regional efforts to abort the US-initiated Broader Middle East project.
Indonesia may sign trade deal
30-Sep-2005 The Australian
Australia and Indonesia bolstered trading ties today, which could support efforts by Canberra and Wellington to forge a free trade agreement with ASEAN.
Thailand’s bilateral trade pacts face mixed reception
30-Sep-2005 VOA
Thailand has been aggressively negotiating bilateral and regional trade agreements in the face of the uncertainty over whether the WTO will reach a deal on liberalizing global trade. But the agreements fail to live up to expectations of increased trade and investment.
The importance of the FTA to Thailand
30-Sep-2005 American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand
Ambassador Nitya Pibulsonggram, the chief negotiator for the Thailand-US Free Trade Agreement, spoke to AMCHAM members on May 25, 2005 about the importance of the FTA to Thailand.
Disagreement over data protection holding up US-Andean FTA
30-Sep-2005 BRIDGES
Ecuador’s opposition to US demands on access to test data for clinical drug trials has emerged as a primary obstacle in the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) talks between the US and a group of three Andean countries.
Democrats press labor ahead of Bahrain FTA vote
30-Sep-2005 ABC News
US Democrats pressed Bahrain on Thursday to change its labor laws before an expected vote in Congress this year on a bilateral free trade pact with the tiny kingdom known as the Gulf’s banking hub.
EU, Caribbean begins new round of trade talks
29-Sep-2005 My Caribbean News
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson is in St Lucia today to launch the third phase of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations between the European Union and the Caribbean region.
SA signs free trade pacts in Middle East
29-Sep-2005 Business Report
South African exporters will now have more access to Kuwait’s market after trade and industry minister Mandisi Mpahlwa yesterday signed a free trade agreement with the oil-rich Middle East country. The deal with Kuwait was concluded a day after Mpahlwa signed a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), also an oil producer.
The price of going to market
29-Sep-2005 Americas Program, International Relations Center (IRC)
Last year was the tenth anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and nearly all evaluations of the agreement conceded that the period showed negligible or negative results for Mexico. As the developing country partner of the agreement, Mexico’s experience under NAFTA has major implications for other developing nations negotiating FTA’s, particularly with the United States.
Proposed RP-US FTA may center on telecom and financial sectors
29-Sep-2005 PIDS
In a recent round table discussion sponsored by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the service industries - specifically the telecommunication and the finance sectors - were tackled as two of the crucial areas where the Philippines can have the best potential if the FTA agreement with the US pushes through.
SE Asian nations hasten push for integration on oil price fears
28-Sep-2005 AFP
Southeast Asian economic ministers knuckled down here Wednesday to thrash out free trade agreements (FTA), with historically high oil prices intensifying calls for greater regional cooperation.
The trade escape
28-Sep-2005 ActionAid
The free trade Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) proposed by the European Union would have a devastating effect on African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries if they go ahead as planned.
SACU/US trade negotiations on
28-Sep-2005 AllAfrica.com
Botswana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry will host a meeting of the Southern African Customs Union and United States (SACU/US) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations this week in Gaborone.
Agreement with EU could hurt Kenya
28-Sep-2005 The Standard
Kenya’s chances of fighting poverty and growing its economy will be harmed if it signs a new economic agreement with the European Union in 2008, a human rights group said.
US congressional report on trade mission to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
28-Sep-2005 Ways and Means Committee
On July 3-9, 2005, a bipartisan delegation of Members of the Committee on Ways and Means of the US House of Representatives traveled to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru regarding the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement with the countries and to discuss investment and security issues in the region.
EU urged to halt regional agreements
28-Sep-2005 IPS
As European Union trade chief Peter Mandelson prepares to kick off a new phase of trade negotiations in the Caribbean this week, trade groups are asking the bloc to shelve regional agreements in order to avoid a "development disaster".
China’s New World trade coveted, feared
27-Sep-2005 Miami Herald
China pursues stronger economic ties with Latin American and the Caribbean. But will the new relationship spur development or be a step backward?
EU Trade Commissioner Mandelson on the future of free trade agreements
27-Sep-2005 European Commission
FTAs "can build upon WTO rules and its framework by going further and faster in promoting openness and integration than is sometimes possible at the multilateral level. And there is a clear downside to standing on the sidelines while others scoop the markets."
If FTA is signed between Turkey and Egypt, we expect a burst in bilateral relations
27-Sep-2005 Turkish Press
Turkish Industry & Trade Minister Ali Coskun said Turkey and Egypt are on the last step to sign FTA between the two countries.