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Europe charms ‘poor' Africa in exchange for oil
4-Nov-2007     Daily Nation
It feels great to watch those who once colonised Africa shift and fidget uneasily as they build up a case for “partnership” -- if only the rules of the game were clear and genuine. But there is also the nagging thought: Will Africa play it right this time round?
Andean trade preferences need to be extended after Feb - USTR
4-Nov-2007     EasyBourse
The trade preferences granted to Andean countries by the US will need to be extended after February 2008 even if free trade agreements with Peru and Colombia designed to replace the preferences are approved, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said late Saturday in Bogota.
Costa Rica: CAFTA threatens to turn water into merchandise
4-Nov-2007     LP
Free trade agreement will make water distribution more unequal for country's poorest communities. The pact sets the obligation to give a “not less favorable” treatment to US companies, ignoring the deep differences in size and economic power of between these ones and the national sectors.
Trade with China: Pakistan suffers trade deficit of $2.957bn
4-Nov-2007     Daily Times
Trading with China has given Pakistan a trade deficit of $2.957 billion during the fiscal year 2006-07. The figures are based on trade under Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and an Early Harvest Programme leading to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Only two FTA-affected companies received government financial aid
4-Nov-2007     MCOT
Only two of 11 manufacturers severely-affected by free trade area (FTA) agreements with other countries have received financial assistance from the Thai government after their operations were hit by the terms of the trade pacts, a senior Commerce Ministry official said.
Retail revolution on hold
4-Nov-2007     Bangkok Post
Indian protests against home-grown conglomerate are a sobering lesson for prospective foreign investors such as Thai retailers
CAFTA referendum heightens social tensions in Costa
3-Nov-2007     Workers World
The NO to CAFTA campaign has produced tens of thousands of activists who are using grassroots methods to change the political system in Costa Rica, which has been dominated by a small elite since the founding of the country.
EU gives Pacific breathing space
3-Nov-2007     Islands Business
Pacific Islands countries have been given a breathing space after the European Commission decided to extend the deadline for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the two parties to December next year. However, negotiations will be held this month on an interim agreement on the trading of goods and possibly services.
China-Pacific: How to tap the growing China market
3-Nov-2007     Islands Business
An FTA between China and the Pacific will be lopsided in favour of China, says Rohan Ellis, head of the Beijing-based Pacific Islands Forum Trade Office
Last chance for better agreement between Caribbean and Europe
2-Nov-2007     Huntington News
Having read the draft EPA, I can now confirm that in much of the document, the development dimension is referenced more in shadow than substance. A huge double standard is at play here and what is sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander, writes a former Caribbean diplomat.