Archive - Oct 2006 - Article

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 Kenyan Trade Minister, Mukhisha Kituyi,

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 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.

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.

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 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?

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.

An interesting debate took place at the Trade and Development Board (TDB) of UNCTAD on the question of "policy space", on the imbalances of existing multilateral rules in some areas and their absence in others, and the impact of this on developing countries' ability to formulate national development policies.

The World Trade Organisation's Doha negotiations should resume as soon as possible, and on the basis of the development mandate and principle so that the developing countries will really benefit, according to many developing countries individually or through their groupings.