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New Bolivia leader vows to nationalize natural gas but says he's open to free-trade zone
23-Jan-2006     Money Sense
Bolivian President Evo Morales used his inaugural address Sunday to renew his pledge to nationalize the country's vast natural gas reserves, but said he's open to the idea of a large US-sponsored trade zone he harshly criticized last year during his campaign.
New Australian envoy looking ahead to FTA deal
22-Jan-2006    
The new Australian Ambassador's third posting in Korea might be the charm that helps bring Australia-Korea trade relations to its zenith.
Value pact over quota
22-Jan-2006    
Work on talks for a free trade pact between Korea and the United States has been accelerating since President Roh Moo-hyun's New Year's address. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade recently announced it would hold a public hearing early next month to gather opinions on such a pact. Accordingly, the government is likely to soon declare the start of negotiations with Washington.
Scoping studies to pave way for Free Trade Agreement
22-Jan-2006    
MALAYSIA and Chile are moving towards an eventual Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with both sides to undertake scoping studies. A Joint Study Group has been formed to complete the task and submit recommendations to both governments by the end of the year.
‘Thaksinisation' strains Thai-US relations
22-Jan-2006     The Nation
When Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra went to Washington DC last September to meet President George W Bush, they agreed that the Thai-US free-trade agreement (FTA) would be completed by this June. At a subsequent meeting with Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, he also asked for US assistance in southern Thailand. Obviously there was a clear link between the trade and defence policies of the two countries.
Free trade and movies
22-Jan-2006    
The government is hurrying to conclude a free trade agreement with the United States before June 2007 at the latest. It appears natural for Korea to facilitate the FTA process with America, the world's largest economy and Seoul's greatest ally. The biggest stumbling block is the screen quota, a protective device for the domestic film industry, or so says Washington.
Panama: Wave of protests
22-Jan-2006     Prensa Latina
Panamanian unions and civilian groups Friday warned they would continue pressuring the government in order to hamper signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US and support a similar pact with Chile.
Investment treaty: Pakistan, US fail to make progress
21-Jan-2006     Dawn
Pakistan and United States on Friday concluded the fourth round of talks on the proposed Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), which remained inconclusive due to differences on some clauses of the agreement.
Oman pact boosts US agenda in the Middle East
21-Jan-2006     IPS
The Bush administration is pushing a spate of free trade agreements with its allies in the Middle East that mostly lack input from marginalised local communities or civil society groups.
Korea-US trade talks could start soon
21-Jan-2006     donga.com
Trade Minister Kim Hyun-jong said in a news conference Friday, “It remains to be seen whether the upcoming international economic ministers' meeting scheduled for February 2 will decide to begin Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.” Current Korean FTA regulations stipulate that an international economic ministers' meeting shall make decisions on whether to start FTA negotiations after taking public opinion into consideration at a public hearing.