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Opposition delays free trade implementation
2-Jan-2006     The New Standard
As CAFTA member-nations struggle to comply with the free trade pact's requirements, opponents of the deal say the delays show how unpopular and undemocratic the mandated reforms are.
SAFTA comes into effect; Pak yet to ratify
1-Jan-2006     Economic Times
South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), paving way for free trade of goods among countries of the region, came into being on Sunday but Pakistan was yet to complete the formality of ratifying it.
Investment agreement signed with Switzerland
1-Jan-2006     Stabroek News
Guyana and the Swiss Confederation recently signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty which will facilitate an increase in Swiss investments in the local economy.
BIMSTEC finalizes dispute resolution rules
1-Jan-2006    
Trade Negotiation Committee has finalized rules for settling disputes in BIMSTEC free trade agreement. It has, however, failed to converge on the percentage of value addition for rules of origin.
Ecuador, Colombia to have talks on FTA with US
31-Dec-2005    
Ecuadoran President Alfredo Palacio will travel to Bogota in January to discuss with his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, a free trade agreement (FTA) that their countries are negotiating with the United States.
Australian businesses reap rewards of Thai free trade agreement
30-Dec-2005     Asia Pulse
The Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) has benefited Australian companies since it began in January through expanded opportunities and increased market access, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, said.
The great maze: Regional and bilateral free trade agreements in Asia
30-Dec-2005     UNDP
This UNDP paper is divided into four main parts. Parts I, II and III examine the phenomenon of FTA proliferation and the underlying forces and motivations of key players at work. Part IV builds on the analysis to address the impact of the FTA explosion on human development policy choices in key areas such as agriculture, textiles, rules of origin, intellectual property, trade in services, and investment.
Bolivia: A new weave for ALBA
30-Dec-2005     Dissident Voice
The decisive numbers of Evo Morales' election victory in South America's poorest country give him the legitimacy he needs to redistribute Bolivia's wealth in favor of the impoverished and excluded majority. But he faces enormous pressure from foreign corporations and international financial institutions to continue promoting superficial economic growth for the benefit of a small elite.
Tangled web we weave
30-Dec-2005    
The hundreds of bilateral and regional trade deals around or being crafted is creating a brave new world for business, reports Daniel Hilken
CAFTA to miss New Year's Day target
30-Dec-2005    
The Central American Free Trade Agreement, a Bush administration priority passed by the House in July after a bruising political fight, will not take effect New Year's Day, the target date set by the White House.