Page 3 - Free Trade

BIMSTEC FTA progress 'slow', members move to consider components: Official

As the free trade area framework under the BIMSTEC is progressing slowly, members of the seven-country bloc are now considering certain components of it, such as trade facilitation and mutual assistance on customs matters, to finalise and proceed for implementation, a top official of the regional organisation said here on Thursday. Member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) had in 2004 agreed to establish the free trade area framework agreement in order to stimulate trade and investment but some components of it are still under negotiations and incomplete, BIMSTEC Secretariat Secretary General Tenzin Lekphell said. The progress of BIMSTEC FTA, to be fair, is very slow. Realising the long delay, member states are now considering completing those components that are almost being finalised to proceed with implementation instead of waiting for the finalisation of the entire FTA, he said. Addressing the BIMSTEC Busines

Chip globalisation is over, and sanctions work: TSMC founder Morris Chang

In the chips sector, globalization is dead. Free trade is dead, Chang said at an event in Taipei Thursday

India-UK free trade talks covered 11 policy areas in seventh round

The seventh round of India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) talks concluded following technical discussions across 11 policy areas over 43 separate sessions between negotiators from both sides here last month, the British government has said. In an outcome statement released on Monday, the Department for Business and Trade did not give any further details on the policy areas covered, but confirmed that the eighth round of talks is due to take place in a few weeks' time. On 10 February 2023, the United Kingdom and the Republic of India concluded the seventh round of talks for an India-UK FTA, the outcome statement reads. Technical discussions were held across 11 policy areas over 43 separate sessions. They included detailed draft treaty text discussions in these policy areas. The eighth round of negotiations is due to take place later this Spring, it said. As with previous rounds, last month's session was also conducted in a hybrid fashion, with a number of Indian officials travelling

India-UK free trade deal stuck on free access to skilled workers

Any failure to conclude a trade accord with Britain will be a missed opportunity for India, a nation upon which many economies are pinning their hopes amid intensified geopolitical struggles

CBIC floats new norms to curb undervaluation of goods by importers

Nove comes after customs dept observed several consignments from South-East Asia in which rules of origin were flouted, and the FTA route was being used to evade duties

Time is ripe for India to explore trade deal with AfCFTA: Commerce Secy

AfCFTA brings together the 55 countries of the African Union and eight regional economic communities to create a single market for the continent

India-UK free trade treaty text advances at close of fourth round of talks

The Department for International Trade brought together technical experts for discussions in 71 separate sessions covering 20 policy areas

India and EU comprehensive free trade deal to be finalised by 2024

Negotiations are expected to kick start in June, after the World Trade Organisation's (WTO's) 12th ministerial meeting.

India's trade pacts: A toss-up between strategic interests, economic gains

A free trade agreement (FTA) is due to be signed with Israel in June. By the end of 2022-23, at least one more FTA will possibly be entered into with the UK.

India and Canada set to relaunch free trade agreement talks

During April 2021-January 2022, Indian exports to Canada increased to $3 billion, up almost by a fourth as compared to a year ago.

Boris Johnson dismisses visa link with Indian free trade deal

Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh asked Johnson if a relaxation of visa controls from India was in the works to secure a trade agreement

India-UK FTA negotiations likely to start next month, says Goyal

He was speaking at the 94th Annual Convention of industry body Ficci

Third round of India-UAE free-trade pact talks in Delhi from Dec 6-10

Under a free-trade agreement, two trading partners reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them

Rejecting RCEP making it tough for India to raise exports: Experts

In 2019, these 15 RCEP countries' combined imports goods were worth $4.96 trillion

New N American free trade deal among US, Canada, Mexico comes into effect

A new trade deal between the United States, Canada and Mexico came into effect on Wednesday

Why free trade isn't dead despite Trump's attacks on system that upholds it

Notwithstanding Trump's bluster, it's too soon to mourn the end of international cooperation

From Brexit to WTO, how special migration rules in free trade deals work

Most trade today takes place under the governance of regional and bilateral free trade agreements between two countries, or groups of countries

Free trade vs protection: Battle still on

The priority given to free trade has generated expectations that are yet to be met

Put pressure on India to promote free trade: Chinese media

China need to adjust its speed and rhythm to avoid overheating outbound investment to India: Media

Germany calls for free trade accord, welcomes China steel talks offer

Sigmar Gabriel warns that a proliferation of bilateral trade deals could lead to varying standards and rules