Africa: Worry Over the Fate of 'Small' Economies in Ambitious Plan Oct 30, 2008
Even as a group of African leaders were meeting in Uganda to prepare the ground for a Free Trade Area for 26 countries, it was clear that fears still linger about the scope of what is clearly the most ambitious economic integration scheme on the continent ... The Kampala summit culminated in the heads of state signing a communiqu; to expedite the establishment of a free trade area. (allAfrica.com)
The rise (and fall?) of petro-states Oct 28, 2008
That other South American countries accepted Chavez's tutelage and rebuffed US President George W Bush's proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) owes to Venezuela's ability to cough up economic development assistance through ALBA. Instead of the liberal free-trade concept of reciprocity, Chavez invented the notion of unequal responsibilities of rich and poor members of ALBA on the basis of availability and need. This communitarian form of international regional integration came to gain... (Asia Times Online)
NCs autonomy idea not as exhaustive as our self-rule: PDP Oct 27, 2008
Apart from constitutional re-structuring (autonomy), self-rule intends to create a trans-LoC greater Jomprising J, and northern areas and converting it into de-militarised free trade area with dual currency and new political super-structures sharing sovereignty without compromising political borders. State legislature that passed NCs state autonomy report in April 1999 sees erosion of autonomy as primary cause of Kashmir discontent and seeks Delhi limiting its legislative authority... (Economic Times)
Oil price may hit PetroCaribe prospects Oct 27, 2008
It is also seen as a bribe' to achieve other objectives, such as a UN Security Council seat or to advance the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas in place of the faltering U.S. proposal for a Free Trade Area of the Americas. However, this is not the first time that Venezuela has played the oil card to extend its influence, especially in the Caribbean. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Africa: Meeting Resolves to Speed Up Merger Oct 24, 2008
Among the first steps taken to fast track integration were an order to the three regional secretariats to "development of a roadmap, within 6 months, for the establishment of a Free Trade Area and measures to facilitate the movement of business persons across the regions.". The setting up the Free Trade Area, the leaders noted, should be with ultimate goal of establishing a single Customs Union, ending import taxes on goods originating from member states and other non-tariffs barrier to trade... (allAfrica.com)
26 African Countries Form Single Market Oct 23, 2008
The merger will lead to the creation of the largest free trade area in Africa, with a population of over 527 million people and a combined GDP of $624 billion ... The formation of the free trade area by the three blocs will, however, have to overcome a number of hurdles, especially the multiple memberships of some countries to various trade blocs and fear by the weaker economies of being flooded by goods from their stronger counterparts like South Africa and Egypt. (allAfrica.com)
Africa: Big Day for East And Southern Africa Trade Oct 23, 2008
The signing is seen as commitment to creating a free trade area among three blocs with a combined population of over 527 million people and combined GDP of $624 billion. Speaking at the opening of tripartite summit on Wednesday, President Mwai Kibaki said African countries needed integration to face realities of globalisation. (allAfrica.com)
No easy path for EAC, COMESA, SADC to cement single market Oct 23, 2008
The EAC's free trade area is fully in force. COMESA is making progress toward a free trade area ... The SADC formally launched its free trade area in August this year. (Xinhuanet, China)
Uganda:African Leaders Meet in Kampala for Summit Oct 21, 2008
"The objective of the cooperation and harmonisation in the area of trade is to create a large free trade area, encompassing the members of the three regional economic communities," he concluded. comments. (allAfrica.com)
East Africa: Customs Union to Be Launched at Summit Oct 18, 2008
The regional integration programme for COMESA member states achieved a free trade area (FTA) in October 2000 and aims to achieve the customs union by December 2008, a monetary union by 2015 and a COMESA community by 2025. The FTA has 13 member states. (allAfrica.com)
Ghana: Europe Plays 'Tom And Jerry' on Trade Oct 14, 2008
The Leaders also instructed the Council of Ministers to work on the creation of an ACP Free Trade Area (FTA). President John Agyekum Kufuor, Current President of ACP, said they wanted the Agreements to reflect a strategic partnership that would be a win-win for all and not one of continued dependence on Europe. (allAfrica.com)
ACP Group to engage in high-level talks with EU on EPA's Oct 4, 2008
They directed the President of the Council and Secretary-General of the Group to explore by the end this month, modalities for conducting the high-level engagement with key stakeholders in the EU. The Leaders also instructed the Council of Ministers to work on the creation of an ACP Free Trade Area (FTA). President John Agyekum Kufuor said they wanted the Agreements to reflect a strategic partnership that would be a win-win for all and not one of continued dependence on Europe. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Your views: Debating the bailout Oct 3, 2008
The free market cannot exist when trade bills like NAFTA, Free Trade Area of the Americas and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade are passed. They give unfair advantage to U.S. corporations through tax breaks, subsidies and by allowing them to close U.S. factories and move them to Third World countries that have no environmental and worker safety laws. (Florida Today)
Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas Sep 24, 2008
We affirmed our commitment to conclude an ambitious agreement in the Doha Round of World Trade Organization negotiations, to the long-term goals of free trade in the hemisphere and a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) and to continue to pursue other efforts to promote economic integration in the hemisphere, including through the Summit of the Americas process, the Latin America Pacific Arc Initiative, the Central American Economic Integration process, and the Trans-Pacific Strategic... (White House News Releases)
Kenya: Tea Market Tumultuous As Trading Partners Change Sep 23, 2008
The Kenyan tea industry may wish to recall that seven years ago Pakistan's embassy in Nairobi sought to establish a free trade area (FTA) with Kenya, east Africa's premier economy, a proposal that has been on hold ever since. Kenya has rebuffed the overtures of Pakistan for an FTA so far because such an arrangement would conflict with the taxation regimes of the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), including the East African Community (EAC) trading bloc, of which Kenya is a... (allAfrica.com)
Wen meets ROK counterpart on sidelines of Paralympics Sep 8, 2008
On the economic front, Wen said China would like to step up cooperation on the environment, telecommunications, finance, logistics and energy with the ROK. Wen also pledged to accelerate the process of establishing a China-ROK Free Trade Area and share experience on industrial restructuring. In response, Han said the ROK will expand comprehensive cooperation with China. (Xinhuanet, China)
EU Summit on Georgia: A Case of Great Expectations? Sep 4, 2008
Further possible measures include the establishment of a free trade area and the relaxing of visa requirements for Georgian citizens. In response, Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze, speaking to journalists in Brussels on September 1, welcomed the European Council s "firm and principled statements." Gurgenidze tread a careful line, however, saying only that the Georgian government is now focusing on "issues that matter to Georgia," including the implementation of the ceasefire plan,... (EurasiaNet.org)
ADB supports closer co-operation in South Asia Sep 4, 2008
High levels of trade protectionism also persist despite the establishment of the South Asian Free Trade Area. However, there has been progress in recent years with a pickup in the level and pace of domestic policy reforms across South Asia; improved relations and increased levels of trade between India and Pakistan; and a greater opening up of South Asian economies to other regions and the world. (Daily Times)
Dangerous Divisions in the Ruling Party Sep 4, 2008
"We remember his contribution to deepening democracy in the region ... [and his commitment] to accelerate infrastructure development in the region. It is indeed appropriate and befitting to this son of Africa that we signed the SADC Treaty [on a Free Trade Area] this year [which was spearheaded during Mwanawasa's term as SADC chair]," Mbeki said in his eulogy. Zambia's acting president, Rupiah Banda, said at the funeral that "Under his [Mwanawasa's] strong leadership the country has experienced... (allAfrica.com)
Modest gains for Bush at Summit of Americas / Sweeping promises, sharp divisions as 34-nation meeting ends Sep 4, 2008
The leaders made an equally imprecise pledge to conclude talks on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), an agreement aimed at eliminating customs duties through the hemisphere. But because of strong opposition from Brazil and Venezuela, the pledge left out a U.S. demand for a commitment that the pact be sealed by the end of next year. (Yahoo News -- Summit of the Americas)
Americas leaders 'overcome' rifts Sep 4, 2008
The document pledges support for the setting up of a free trade area for the Americas in 2005 - a key US demand ... The planned Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) aims to create the world's largest free trade area with a market of some 800 million people ... This, said Mr Chavez, was a victory for those who had opposed the free trade area. (Yahoo News -- Summit of the Americas)
Games success to bring next big wave of capital Sep 4, 2008
Particularly worrisome is that the Doha round of WTO talks and the East Asia Free Trade Area process both ran into protectionist obstruction rarely seen these days. The world economy seems to be entering another round of structural readjustment. (Xinhuanet, China)
ADB offers grant for cooperation between India, Pakistan Sep 3, 2008
High levels of trade protectionism also persist despite the establishment of the South Asian Free Trade Area, ADB said. However, there has been progress in recent years with a pickup in the level and pace of domestic policy reforms across South Asia; improved relations and increased levels of trade between India and Pakistan; and a greater opening up of South Asian economies to other regions and the world, it said. (Xinhuanet, China)
EU suspends talks on Russia pact Sep 2, 2008
There was also a strong signal of support for Georgia, with EU-wide backing for a donors' conference for reconstruction, the promise of a free trade area and fewer travel restrictions on its citizens. To coincide with the summit, Georgians held several rallies across their country and in other European capitals, at which they called for further Western support and assistance. (BBC News)
Show of unity Sep 2, 2008
" Mr Sarkozy, who brokered the ceasefire in Georgia last month, will go to Moscow and Tbilisi on 8 September together with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to see to what extent Russia is keeping to its side of the bargain. The meeting, Mr Sarkozy said, would be crucial for the future of relations. In a strong sign of support for Georgia, the EU also pledged to send around 200 monitors on the ground; to grant the country EU support worth... (BBC News)
EU summit shelves sanctions against Russia Sep 2, 2008
It also decided to strengthen its relationship with Georgia, including through facilitation of visas and the possible establishment of a free trade area and complete depth as soon as conditions are met. The summit said it is more necessary than ever to support the regional cooperation and strengthen its relations with its eastern neighbors, particularly through its neighborhood policy. (Xinhuanet, China)
EU shelves sanctions against Russia to avoid internal divisions Sep 2, 2008
It decided to strengthen its relationship with Georgia, including through facilitation of visas and the possible establishment of a free trade area and complete depth as soon as conditions are met. The leaders agreed that the EU to deploy a civilian mission in South Ossetia by the middle of October and make "substantial material and financial contributions for Georgia's reconstruction.". (Xinhuanet, China)
China-ASEAN Expo propels FTA construction Aug 29, 2008
BEIJING, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The China-ASEAN Expo has become a propeller to the China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Free Trade Area (FTA) construction, said an official with the Expo's organizing committee on Thursday ... The two sides have reached an agreement to complete a China-ASEAN Free Trade Area before 2010 ... The China-ASEAN FTA is the first free trade area agreement signed by China. (Xinhuanet, China)
Southern Africa: SADC Meal Planning Aug 23, 2008
Unrestricted cross-border movement of goods is on the cards: the SADC launched its free trade area on 17 August, in which 85 percent of goods produced and sold within the region will be exempt from customs duties. This would apply to agricultural goods as well, said Boitumelo Gofhamodimo, acting head of the SADC's Trade, Industry and Finance Investment Directorate. (allAfrica.com)
ZIMBABWE: Duty waiver makes food cheaper Aug 22, 2008
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) launched its free trade area on 17 August, in which 85 percent of goods produced and sold within the region will be exempt from customs duties. Zimbabwe's runaway inflation, estimated at more than 11 million percent by the government and at more than 15 million percent by independent economists, has weakened the currency and created shortages of food and other non-food items, power and fuel. (AlertNet)
Sadc summit a success Aug 21, 2008
The launch of the Free Trade Area and adoption of the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development were noted as some of the key highlights of the summit, government spokesman Themba Maseko said after Cabinet's fortnightly meeting. The launch of the FTA would lay a firm foundation for regional economic integration, he said. (iAfrica.com)
Switzerland hails India's economic power, backs nuclear energy: Envoy Aug 19, 2008
India and Switzerland are also set to launch negotiations for a free trade area agreement in September to impart an added momentum to their burgeoning economic ties, he said, while alluding to the 60th anniversary of the signing of a friendship treaty between the two countries. The proposed trade agreement will be part of an economic pact being negotiated between the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) that includes Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein as well as India. (Economic Times)
Southern Africa: Free Trade Area to Boost Economic Integration [analysis] Aug 19, 2008
com: Southern Africa: SADC Free Trade Area to Bolster Regional Economic Integration (Page 1 of 2) ... Southern Africa: SADC Free Trade Area to Bolster Regional Economic Integration ... The Southern African Free Trade Area (FTA), launched on Sunday, will not only transform the trading environment in the region, but marks an important milestone in the road towards regional economic integration. (allAfrica.com)
Zimbabwe: SADC Summit Ends With No Deal Aug 19, 2008
On Sunday the heads of state officially launched the SADC Free Trade Area (although it has, in fact, been in force since 1 January) ... Mbeki admitted that the Free Trade Area has so far not led to any growth in trade between SADC members ... He said that only by raising production and adding value to their goods could SADC members hope to benefit from the free trade area. (allAfrica.com)
EU tightens toxic shipment rules Aug 19, 2008
The new rules also make it illegal to export non-hazardous waste for disposal in countries outside the EU or the European Free Trade Area (EFTA). Martin Hojsik said countries might be less willing to turn a blind eye to hazardous waste movements under the new system. (Yahoo News -- European Union)
Bush lays into the left at Americas summit but agrees concessions Aug 18, 2008
President George Bush was forced to make several concessions to his Latin American colleagues yesterday when they concluded their two-day summit with only a vague commitment to a controversial pan-American free trade area. The US president railed against Fidel Castro in his speech, admonished several other left-leaning governments, including Venezuela and Bolivia, and urged a ban on countries deemed corrupt from attending future summits. (Yahoo News -- Summit of the Americas)
Pvt sector to the party Aug 18, 2008
Article By: For the SADC Free Trade Area be successful, the business sector needed to play a more active and collaborative role, the Southern African Development business forum said on Sunday. Speaking at the launch of the FTA in Sandton, Johannesburg, Zeth Nkosi said: "The private sector has a role to play.". (iAfrica.com)
'Stability = no poverty' Aug 18, 2008
Mbeki was speaking at the Southern African Development Community summit in Sandton, Johannesburg on the launch of the SADC's Free Trade Area. While the region's efforts had borne fruit, the achievement could not be taken for granted, Mbeki said. (iAfrica.com)
No Zim cut off date Mbeki Aug 18, 2008
Earlier in closing the Sadc Summit and after launching the Free Trade Area, Mbeki said no member state could assure political and social stability and security if the region continued to suffer poverty, underdevelopment and instability. Duty-free trade. (iAfrica.com)
Bring The Region Closer Aug 18, 2008
And even its recently enlarged positive list does not conform to the South Asian Free Trade Area requirements for free trade in the region. Bangladesh's insistence on not allowing transit rights to Indians and not even permitting natural gas from Tripura to be piped across its territories is inexplicable since Dhaka can make good money from it. (India Times, India)
Southern Africa: Free Trade Area High on Summit Agenda Aug 17, 2008
com: Southern Africa: Free Trade Area Dominates SADC Summit Agenda (Page 1 of 1) ... Southern Africa: Free Trade Area Dominates SADC Summit Agenda ... The official opening of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State Summit kicked off well on Saturday with Free Trade Area (FTA) featuring high on the agenda. (allAfrica.com)
Sell surplus food Aug 16, 2008
She said the launch of a Free Trade Area this weekend would usher in new opportunities for people in the region ... The Free Trade Area would formalise the elimination of trade tariffs amongst SADC members, and enhance regional economic integration and the growth of bigger regional markets. (iAfrica.com)
Zimbabwe: Talks Are On the SADC Summit Agenda Aug 15, 2008
During last year's SADC summit, it was anticipated that Zimbabwe's economy would improve and help pave the way for a Customs Union and Free Trade Area ... It is only when Zimbabwe's problems are solved that it will be feasible for the regional bloc to form a viable Customs Union and Free Trade Area. (allAfrica.com)
SA readies for Sadc Aug 14, 2008
A ministerial task force would discuss amongst other things, the launching of the Sadc free trade area. Sapa Digg | | | | | | Copyright 2002-2008 iafrica. (iAfrica.com)
Mbeki takes Sadc chair Aug 11, 2008
Next Sunday, Sadc will launch the Free Trade Area (FTA) of the Community. The FTA will formalise the elimination of trade tariffs amongst Sadc members, and enhance regional economic integration and the growth of bigger regional markets. (iAfrica.com)
Urea policy plan get govt nod Aug 9, 2008
The government also decided to provide more market access to least developed members of the South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta). It has been decided to remove 264 items from the sensitive list of 744 items on which market access was restricted. (India Times)
Southern Africa: Region to Launch Free Trade Area Aug 8, 2008
com: Southern Africa: SADC Summit to Launch Free Trade Area (Page 1 of 1) ... Southern Africa: SADC Summit to Launch Free Trade Area ... Southern African leaders will launch the regional free trade area this month, signalling the creation of one of the largest free trade zones on the African continent with some 250 million people. (allAfrica.com)
Loh familys Honda franchise cut by half Aug 5, 2008
in pursuit of long-term growth in Malaysia post-Afta (Asean Free Trade Area). . (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
South Asia signs deals to fight terror, hunger Aug 4, 2008
The summit provided no concrete steps to invigorate the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement which came into effect two years ago but which has failed to take off. Aimed at achieving zero tariffs on almost all products by 2012, SAFTA has witnessed squabbles over tariff concessions with Pakistan accusing India of violating the agreement with various non-tariff barriers. (Reuters India)
Southern Africa: Regional Free Trade Area to Be Born Soon Aug 4, 2008
The signing of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area is set for August 17, and member states want to walk into the signing occasion with all the fanfare and ceremony. After the signing, member states want to have all the 170 million citizens buying into the idea of free trade area not only to understand but to reap the benefits that come with the opening up of a US$360-billion worth market ... The signing of the Free Trade Area (FTA) pact would mean that producers and... (allAfrica.com)
News analysis: SAARC undergoing growing pains Aug 1, 2008
The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) is an important initiative taken at the 12th SAARC summit in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan on Jan. 6, 2004. The SAARC countries signed a framework SAFTA agreement with zero customs duty on the trade of practically all products in the region by the end of 2016. (Xinhuanet, China)
Unleashing business opportunities in an AEC Jul 31, 2008
And it is already on its way, with increased trade and investment activities resulting from the formation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). Trade and investment are two sides of the same coin. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Editorial)
Poor nations face fall-out Jul 30, 2008
The European Union is the most striking example of a large free trade area. But there are more than two hundred bilateral and international trade agreements in existence today, and they are expected to scale up to 400 by the end of this decade. (BBC News -- Business)
Mbeki the Zim saviour Jul 26, 2008
Last Updated: 06:45pm 25 Jul 2008. 3 18 SPONSORED LINKS. (iAfrica.com)
China to name 1st ASEAN ambassador Jul 25, 2008
Chinese Foreign Minister also said China will work closely with ASEAN to speed up the establishment of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (Xinhuanet, China)
Landmark SAfrica-EU summit overshadowed by Zimbabwe crisis Jul 24, 2008
But both sides said other key issues would include the situation in African flashpoints in Chad and Sudan's violence-riven Darfur region, the ongoing world trade talks, and the establishment of a free trade area between the EU and South Africa by 2012. Bilateral trade has increased more than five-fold between 1994 to 2007 from 56. (Africasia)
A sea change Jul 15, 2008
Creation of a free trade area in the Euromed region by 2010 and beyond and the promotion of all-round regional economic integration. Promoting orderly managed legal migration and fighting illegal migration. (BBC News -- Europe)
Profile: Mercosur Jul 2, 2008
Negotiations on a planned, US-backed Free Trade Area of the Americas are similarly mired, with some Mercosur leaders rejecting US free-market policies. Bookmark with. (BBC News -- Americas)
Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Jun 26, 2008
They noted the importance of efforts within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to promote free and open trade and investment, including the prospect of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. President Bush reiterated the United States' general opposition to restrictions on food exports at a time of rising prices. (White House News Releases)
ECOWAS discusses rising food and oil prices Jun 24, 2008
It said the President's report would also indicate the status of the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), an agreement for the creation of a free trade area between West Africa and the European Union. The Heads of State and Government will also discuss the security situation in West Africa and efforts to consolidate democratic governance in the region. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
UN urges Africa to integrate to avert food crisis Jun 17, 2008
To increase competitiveness in the market, FAO is proposing the creation of a Free Trade Area (FTA) for Africa that will facilitate a seamless flow of strategic commodities across national borders while maintaining high profit margins. According to FAO, to ease the selection of commodities that are qualified to trade under such rules, the African continent should come up with a foods basket in which every item is weighted on the basis of their consumption and contribution to the foreign exchange... (Xinhuanet, China)
Call for more affordable cars Jun 16, 2008
Malaysian Institute of Economic Research executive director Datuk Dr Mohd Ariff Abdul Kareem noted that protection given to the auto industry had been reduced under the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) arrangement, although prices stayed high as non-Asean vehicles were subjected to high tariffs. In these cases, the implicit subsidy for example, tax the Government forgoes in the form of tax exemption, and high prices consumers pay because of tariff protection benefits producers, not consumers,... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Africa: Officials Root for Creation of Largest Trading Bloc Jun 11, 2008
Trade officials from the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are proposing a joint summit in September and October to start negotiations on plans for a grand Free Trade Area (FTA). Sources told Business Daily that the summit talks would mainly involve the council of ministers from the respective regional economic communities (RECs) as member countries set their eyes on what would be the... (allAfrica.com)
Kevin Rudd's architecture for the Asia Pacific Jun 11, 2008
Second is the development of a free trade area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP). Here is where Rudd could stumble. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia)
Upward revision for cement stocks Jun 4, 2008
Cement could only be imported regionally due to its short shelf life and under the Asean Free Trade Area, any goods imported within Asean is charged a flat import duty of 5%,'' he said. Under the new structure, cement importers only have to pay a flat 10% import duty for ordinary Portland cement and hydraulic cement, which currently attract duty of 50% and 25% respectively. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
