Archive - Oct 2006

The European Union and India stepped up free-trade negotiations that could one day link two of the world's biggest markets. Both sides said they hope to complete a deal by early 2009.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development's Trade and Development Board concluded on 10 October the final leg of the organisation's Mid-Term Review.

The following quotes are taken from recent academic analysis of the estimated gains and losses from restarting the Doha Round of WTO negotiations, including the EU

The Kenyan Trade Minister, Mukhisha Kituyi,

BRUSSELS, Oct 12 (IPS) - A proposal by Senegalese Trade Minister Mamadou Diop to postpone the 2008 deadline for signing trade agreements with the European Union found much support at a meeting here Thursday.

Other developing countries such as Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Iran that took the floor at the meeting also articulated their grand visions for UNCTAD in being the key institution and focal point within the UN system in addressing the challenges of globalization, especially in the area of trade, finance and development.

The agreement is biased towards the more powerful Japanese economic interests, so how can JPEPA be positive for the Philippines in terms of trade and investment?

A brief outline of how he intends to undertake some internal reforms in UNCTAD was given by its Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi at the policy dialogue of UNCTAD's Mid-Term Review on 4 October.

The top U.S. trade negotiator vowed to push for a breakthrough in negotiations at the World Trade Organization within the next six months so that lawmakers can be convinced to extend trade negotiating authority.

Although there is a lot of talk about the need for completion of the World Trade Organisation's Doha Round, the content of the Round's outcome is just as important and there should be emphasis on this content instead as talk of a Development Round has been rhetorical so far, according to India's Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath.