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SKorea official warns FTA with US could collapse
17-May-2007     AFP
A senior South Korean official warned Wednesday that the free trade deal with the United States could collapse if Washington "unilaterally" urges Seoul to revise it to reflect new US policy guidelines.
Congress report says US conceded little in FTA negotiations
17-May-2007     Hankyoreh
The Congressional Research Service, the research arm of the United States Congress, concluded in a recent report that the establishment of a "Committee on Outward Processing Zones on the Korean Peninsula" was a concession on the part of the US from its stance on products produced in North Korea, but that American negotiators yielded nothing of substance in free trade talks with South Korea.
EU vows to press ahead with free trade deals with ACP states
16-May-2007     EUX.TV
The European Union on Tuesday vowed to press ahead with efforts to eliminate tariffs and quotas on imports from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, arguing that the deals were needed to open up markets in poor nations. "We must create regional markets, ... poor countries need bigger regional markets," German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek- Zeul said.
South Korea, Australia to begin study of free trade pact this year
16-May-2007     Yonhap
South Korea and Australia will begin a joint study this year to explore a free trade agreement, a senior trade official said Wednesday.
Asean, EU may take years to ink FTA
16-May-2007     Financial Express
A deal may come only nearer to 2015, the year Asean is targeting for the creation of a single market for its 10 members, Asean secretary general Ong Keng Yong said.
Malawi-South Africa agreement "will attract investors"
16-May-2007     IPS
The Malawian government is optimistic that its new economic and technical cooperation agreement with South Africa will finally draw investors from its mighty neighbour.
Indo-Thai FTA talks gather momentum
16-May-2007     Economic Times
India has sought a major expansion of the opportunities on offer for Indian professionals in Thailand, as the two countries rush to conclude the negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) comprising trade in goods and services and investment, which is likely to be signed during Thai premier General Surayud Chulanont's visit to New Delhi in June.
Indian pharma cos see hope as US retreats on data exclusivity
15-May-2007     Economic Times
A section of India's generic drug industry has claimed that its ability to export generic drugs to over a dozen countries with which the US is planning FTAs will increase, if a “conceptual agreement” reached last week by the US' House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Bush administration is ratified and implemented.
Dominican Republic, Grand Caribbean headed for free trade
15-May-2007     Dominican Today
The Central American Integration System's (SICA) 22 member countries and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) last Saturday have announced the start of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the two blocs as a first step to continue advancing towards an association pact.
AfroColombians oppose free trade agreement
15-May-2007     ZNet
Ana Valencia still tries to eke out a living as a miner in the hills near the headwaters of Colombia's Rio Salvajina. Her sisters are gone now to the nearest city of Cali, where they work as domestics. She's having a hard time hanging on.