India, Switzerland discuss economic ties
Sify Business, 31 March 2010

India and Switzerland Wednesday agreed to step up their economic ties when Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Ray rang up her Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna.   More...

Canadian industry wants India to expedite trade agreement
LiveMint, 30 March 2010

The Canadian government is putting pressure on India to fast-track a bilateral trade deal at a time when both countries are negotiating a nuclear deal.  More...

Zero duty for Lankan goods in Pakistan
Sunday Times, 29 March, 2009

The Department of Commerce said this week that under the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Pakistan has confirmed duty free status to 4,500 Sri Lankan products. “The Government of Pakistan has issued the respective notification implementing the 100% tariff reduction for 4,500 ‘Sri Lankan originated’ products, with effect from 20th March 2009,” a Commerce Department official told The Sunday Times FT.    More...

Peru refuses price raise on medicines at FTA negotiation with EU
Xinhua, 27 March, 2009

The Peruvian Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry said Thursday that Peru will not accept raise in medicine prices in the second round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU). "We are not going to take an agreement where the medicines become more expensive," Vice Minister Eduardo Ferreyros said in a press conference. More...

EU-India: Free Trade Agreement to be signed by the end of 2010 say MEPs
European Parliament, 26 March, 2009

Disappointed with the slow pace of negotiations, MEPs would like to see a Free Trade Agreement signed with India by the end of 2010, in a report adopted in Strasbourg by the European Parliament. The EU and India launched negotiations for an FTA in 2007. The report was adopted with 326 votes in favour, 226 against and 3 abstentions. More...

Mercosur-Israel free trade agreement becomes effective
MercoPress, 25 March 2010

The free trade agreement between Mercosur and Israel, the first out of the region for the South American block, became effective this week for Paraguay. For the rest of Mercosur full members, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay the official date is April first. More...

Afghan and Chinese presidents sign trade agreements
BBC News, 24 March 2010

The presidents of Afghanistan and China have signed agreements on trade and economic co-operation aimed at boosting the war-torn Afghan economy. More...

China vows to advance cooperation with New Zealand: Chinese FM
Xinhua, 24 March 2010

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday said China hoped to enhance dialogue, expand mutual trust and cooperation with New Zealand to push the development of bilateral ties. More...

Feds table trade agreement with Jordan
Toronto Sun, 24 March 2010

The federal government has tabled legislation to finalize a trade agreement with Jordan. International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan introduced the bill, which was killed last December when Prime Minister Stephen Harper prorogued Parliament. More...

Gulf Cooperation Council: Free-trade and regional grouping
Global Arab Network, 24 March 2010

Kuwait’s May 2007 decision to abandon dollar peg, to which all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members were committed, has proved a serious stumbling block to aspirations for greater union. More...

ECFA helpful despite negotiation difficulties: SEF head
Focus Taiwan, 23 March 2010

The proposed trade agreement with China will be helpful for Taiwan despite its complicated nature making negotiations difficult and time-consuming, Taiwan's top cross-strait negotiator said Tuesday.  More...

EU FTA won’t hurt domestic drug cos: Sharma
Indian Express, 23 March 2010

Trade Minister Anand Sharma today said that the forthcoming free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) would not hurt India’s generic drug industry. More...

Hong Kong free trade agreement to be signed
National Business Review, 23 March 2010

Trade Minister Tim Groser will sign a free trade agreement with Hong Kong when he visits there on Monday. The New Zealand Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) will help New Zealand businesses expand in the region, Mr Groser said. More...

'India is a springboard to Asia'
Economic Times, 22 March 2010

India and the EU can benefit immensely by concluding a free trade agreement (FTA), not only in terms of enhanced bilateral trade but also through long-term economic partnership. More...

Japan sets up division targeting Korea FTA
JoongAng Daily, 22 March 2010

Japan appears to be speeding up steps to resume talks with Korea on an “economic partnership agreement”, the term Japan uses to describe a free trade agreement. More...

Pakistan looks to British diplomatic help for EU free trade deal
Telegraph, 21 March 2010

Pakistan is to appeal for free trade access to Europe during a landmark summit with EU leaders next month as the key Western ally steps up its demands for more support for its war-ravaged economy. More...

Asia's Drive for Free Trade
Wall Street Journal, 21 March 2010

East-West trade tensions are rising, and a new global free-trade agreement seems a distant dream. Yet here's the paradox: the drive for free trade within Asia, where the world's greatest concentration of economic growth now resides, has never been stronger. More...

Peru aims for Japan, South Korea trade talks in April
Channel News Asia, 20 March 2010

Peru is aiming to complete negotiations on free trade agreements with Japan and South Korea in April, Trade Minister Martin Perez said Friday. More...

Now Thailand object to India-EU free trade agreement
DNA India, 19 March 2010

As informal talks have started between India and Europe on the free trade agreement (FTA) in New Delhi since Monday, apprehensions over provisions that could impact early access to generic medicines are being voiced in Thailand. More...

Turkey, S.Korea to start free trade talks in late April
World Bulletin, 19 March 2010

Turkish State Minister Zafer Caglayan said on Friday that Turkey and South Korea would start talks on Free Trade Agreement (STA) in April 26 and 30, 2010. More...

Dhaka, Beijing to establish ‘closer comprehensive partnership’
Financial Express Bangladesh, 19 March 2010

Bangladesh and China have decided to establish a “Closer Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation” from the strategic perspective and on the basis of the principles of longstanding friendship, equality, and mutual benefit. More...

Nepal, Bhutan to discuss on duty-free trade
Republica, 17 March 2010

Nepal and Bhutan are holding trade talks on entering free trade agreement in a bid to give new impetus to bilateral trade that presently stands almost negligible. More...

South Korea wants fast US free trade ratification
Business Week, 16 March 2010

South Korea's industry minister called on the United States to quickly ratify a bilateral free trade agreement that has languished in limbo for nearly three years after being signed. More...

Brazilian president in Israel to mark Mercosur FTA
Globes, 15 March 2010

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio (Lula) da Silva met with President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem today and said that Brazil had given its final approval for a free trade agreement between Israel and the Mercosur bloc (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay). More...

Talks start in Australia on Pacific trade deal
Reuters, 14 March 2010

The United States, Australia, Peru and Vietnam are seeking to join the Trans Pacific Partnership, which already includes Chile, Singapore, New Zealand and Brunei. More...

EU, Vietnam to Start Free-Trade Talks
WSJ, 03 March 2010

The European Union and Vietnam announced the start of free-trade negotiations Tuesday, signaling a major effort to move ahead in the race to secure new markets despite the failure of the Doha Round of global trade talks. More...

Peru opens trade deal with China and reaches agreement with European Union
Peruvian Times, 02 March 2010

A free trade agreement between Peru and China came into force on Monday, 15 months after President Alan García and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, wrapped up talks to seal the trade deal. More...

Singapore, European Union To Commence Free Trade Agreement Talks
NASDAQ, 02 March 2010

Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry said Wednesday it will commence negotiations with the European Union on a free trade agreement this month. More...

Peru says free trade agreement with China to take effect Monday, March 1
Canadian Business Online, 25 February 2010

Peru says a free trade agreement with China is set to take effect Monday. Official newspaper El Peruano said Thursday that the two countries agreed to make March 1 the start date for the pact. More...

Talks for Free Trade Agreement between South Korea and Turkey begin
Balkans, 24 February 2010

Latest moves by the Turkish government could result in a free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and Turkey by the end of the year, in a bid to bring down trade barriers between the two G-20 members.  More...

Saudi-Japan private sector urged to boost cooperation
Arab News, 24 February 2010

The 11th Japan-Saudi Arabia Business Council on Tuesday emphasized the growing cooperation between the two countries' private sectors. More...

UK wants India-EU trade deal by 2010 to protect jobs, increase trade
Times of India, 23 February 2010

With agreement stalled on a number of issues, including India's demand for European countries to open up their borders to skilled Indian IT workers in return for European legal professionals to work in India, Britain is pushing for rapid conclusion of a long-delayed free trade agreement between India and the 27-nation Europe Union, saying it was holding up trade and jobs at both ends. More...

Israel, Ukraine Ink Free Trade, Aviation Agreements
Arutz Sheva, 23 February 2010

Israel and the Ukraine signed a free trade agreement on Monday, and also agreed to add another carrier to the air route between the two nations. More...

Mexico, Brazil to start talks on free trade
Business Week, 23 February 2010

The presidents of Mexico and Brazil say their governments will start talks on a possible free trade agreement between Latin America's two largest economies. More...

Korea Set to Discuss FTA with Turkey in April
Arirang, 17 February 2010

Korea and Turkey are expected to begin free trade agreement talks as the two sides agreed to hold a public hearing in Seoul, Friday. More...

India-Asean services pact may be inked in October
The Hindu, 16 February 2010

India and the 10-nation South East Asian trading bloc Asean are expected to widen their trade engagement by signing in October, a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that will cover services and investment.  More...

Talks on India, New Zealand free trade pact from April
Business Standard, 16 February 2010

India and New Zealand will begin in April negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement in goods, services and investments to enhance economic engagement from the present size of $612.3 million.  More...

Turkey willing to start free trade deal talks with Burkina Faso
World Bulletin, 16 February 2010

Turkey-Burkina Faso Joint Economic Commission meeting began in Ankara on Tuesday. Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Turkish Environment & Forestry Minister Veysel Eroglu said that negotiations on a free trade agreement should start soon to reveal potential between the two countries.  More...

EU wants timetable for east Africa trade deal
Reuters Africa, 16 February 2010

The East African Community trade bloc needs to end a stalemate and give a clear timetable for signing a new trade deal with the European Union, the EU's head of delegation in Tanzania said.  More...

Australia to resume free-trade talks with China
Sydney Morning Herald, 16 February 2010

Australia and China will resume stalled free trade talks this month despite tensions over the trial of an Australian mining executive in China, but agriculture remains a stumbling block, Australia’s trade minister said. More...

Costa Rica, China draw up free trade pact
China Daily, 11 February 2010

Costa Rican and Chinese negotiators reached a free trade agreement on Wednesday, a key part of the Central American nation’s drive to extend its web of trade pacts outside the Western Hemisphere.  More...

Indian Companies See Growth Opportunities In Latin America
Wall Street Journal, 10 February 2010

Trade between China and Latin America has been a symbol of strengthening ties between developing economies, but India, too, is now looking to increase its footprint in the region.  More...

Explore India’s investment opportunities: Tharoor
The Hindu, 09 February 2010

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has asked the businesses in Oman to make best use of the “huge investment opportunity” available in India.  More...

India free trade deal could mean big things for NZ agriculture
NZ Herald, 05 February 2010

The possibility of a Free Trade agreement with India would have wide-ranging benefits for the New Zealand agricultural industry, and give Kiwi exports a helping hand in one of the world's biggest markets, industry leaders say.  More...

UK flexes muscle in scramble for Africa trade deals
Business Daily Africa, 05 February 2010

The UK government has signed a pact with three African trading blocs that would see it play a more critical role in the planned merger and economic development in the region, signalling intention to solidify its influence in Africa in the wake of an onslaught by China.  More...

China postpones free trade talks with Taiwan
Reuters India, 04 February 2010

China has postponed a second round of free trade talks with Taiwan until after the Lunar New Year holiday and the Taiwanese side downplayed any political reason for the delay.   More...

India, Canada talking FTA/MFN trade treaty
Deccan Herald, 03 February 2010

To provide greater fillip to existing bilateral trade, India and Canada are at an early, exploratory stage of entering into a free trade agreement (FTA) and most favoured nation status (MFN) as well.   More...

German President visit only ceremonial sans any bilateral agreement
My News, 03 February 2010

The President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Horst Kohler concludes his official visit to India on Wednesday without signing of any MoU or agreement between the two countries.  More...

Iran's FM Leaves Tehran for Turkey
FARS News Agency, 02 February 2010

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki left Tehran for Ankara on Tuesday in a bid to take part in a joint economic commission meeting of the two countries.    More...

India, New Zealand begin talks for free trade agreement
The Economic Times, 01 February 2010

India and New Zealand have begun negotiations for a free trade agreement, a minister said here on Monday. New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser said the negotiations started in Switzerland where he met Commerce Minister Anand Sharma last week.   More...

Secretly, India talked free trade agreement with EU again
DNA, 01 February 2010

India hosted trade officials from the European Union last week (January 25-29) for the eighth round of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in the capital, and apprehensions are high about the speed, secrecy and lack of transparency in the manner in which they took place.  More...