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AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan joins Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation Programme. UzReport.com, 6 November 2005.
Afghanistan has joined the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) programme. The country’s participation is strategically important for the organization and will increase transit to sea across Afghanistan. CAREC now includes Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The CAREC programme is an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-supported initiative to encourage economic cooperation in Central Asia. The primary objective is to promote economic growth and raise living standards in its member countries by encouraging regional economic cooperation.
Accessed on 7 November < http://www.uzreport.com/E/index.cfm?sec=1&subsec=1&n_ID=18775 >

ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
APEC Ministerial Meeting Joint Statement released. APEC, 16 November 2005.
The 17th APEC Ministerial Meeting has concluded with the release of a Joint Ministerial Statement in which the ministers pledged their commitment to the Bogor Goals which set the target of free trade and investment in the APEC Region at 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing economies. The Statement include, among many others, the following issues: strengthening the multilateral trading system, mid-term stocktake of the Bogor Goals, trade and investment liberalization and facilitation (TILF), anti-corruption and transparency standards, human security and economic and technical cooperation.
Accessed on 25 November
< http://www.apecsec.org.sg/apec/news___media/media_releases/ >
The Ministerial Statement is accessible at
< http://www.apecsec.org.sg/apec/ministerial_statements/ >

APEC leaders' meeting concludes with the Busan Declaration. APEC, 19 November, 2005.
The 13th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) has concluded in Busan. At the end of the meeting Leaders issued the "Busan Declaration" that covers the following three areas: advancing freer trade; safe and transparent Asia-Pacific region: enhancing human security; and APEC's progress into the future.
Accessed on 21 November < http://www.apecsec.org.sg/apec/news___media/media_releases/ >
The Busan Declaration is accessible at < http://www.apecsec.org.sg/apec/leaders__declarations/2005.html >

ASIA-PACIFIC TRADE AGREEMENT
APTA agrees on lower tariff. cctv.com, 3 November 2005.
The Bangkok Agreement, which has existed for 30 years, its members being China, Bangladesh, India, Republic of Korea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Sri Lanka has been renamed into Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). The first session of the Ministerial Council of APTA announced that the tariff concessions reached at the third round of negotiations under the agreement would be effective from 1 July 2006. More than 4,000 products are included in the new round of tariff-cuts. China will lower tariffs of nearly 1,700 products, including agricultural, textiles and chemical goods, to the other five members. The taxes are lowered by an average of 27 per cent. APTA is a preferential tariff arrangement that aims at promoting intra-regional trade through exchange of mutually agreed concessions by member countries.
Accessed on 7 November < http://english.cctv.com/program/bizchina/20051103/101680.shtml >
The Ministerial Declaration is accessible at < http://www.unescap.org/tid/apta/mcba1_declare.pdf >

AYEYAWADY-CHAO PHRAYA-MEKONG ECONOMIC COOPERATION STRATEGY
Second ACMECS Summit ends with agreements on expanded regional cooperation. China View, 3 November 2005.
Member States of Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), namely Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam signed the Bangkok Declaration on the agreed cooperation at the end of the Second ACMECS Summit. The agreements include deepening regional cooperation in areas of high priority, collectively addressing regional threats posed by newly-emerging and re-emerging diseases in a timely manner, bringing more advanced technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of ACMECS wherever possible and appropriate and taking collective measures to strengthen the five-nation ACMECS grouping.
Accessed on 7 November < http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-11/03/content_3727765.htm >
The Summit Declaration is accessible at
< http://www.mfa.go.th/web/doc/2nd%20ACMECS%20Summit%20Declaration.pdf >

CHINA
Sino-Chilean Free Trade Agreement signed. China Knowledge Press, 18 November 2005.
China and Chile signed a free trade agreement on 18 November 2005. The two countries went through five rounds of talks before agreeing on matters concerning market access, rules of origin, technical barriers to trade, animal and plant quarantine, trade remedy, dispute settlement mechanisms, and related legal and technical problems. Starting from 7 January 2006, both countries will begin the trade tariff reduction process with aims to eventually achieve mutual zero trade tariffs on 97 per cent of their total trade volume within ten years.
Accessed on 21 November < http://www.chinaknowledge.com/news_detail.asp?cat=general&ID=1468 >

INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION
IATA e-freight to take the paper out of air cargo by 2010. IATA, 1 November 2005.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) started IATA e-freight which targets paperless cargo processing by 2010, saving US$1.2 billion annually (based on current cargo volumes) and reducing shipping times by up to 25 per cent. IATA e-freight will be implemented in a two-stage process: Its vision is that by the end of 2007 e-freight will be realized on key targeted trade routes; and by the end of 2010, 95 per cent of world trade air cargo volume will be paper free.
Accessed on 21 November < http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/2005-11-01-01.htm >

INDIA
India for multilateral system for exchange of trade information. Financial Express, 31 October 2005.
India has proposed establishment of a multilateral mechanism to facilitate cooperation between customs authorities at the World Trade Organisation for easy verification of doubtful export-import documents by members. India pointed out that a multilateral cooperation mechanism for exchange of information among customs administration would go a long way in simplifying and liberalizing border controls for expeditious clearance of legitimate trade. The proposal incorporates exchanging specific information upon request on matters such as customs valuation, HS classification, full and accurate description, quantity, origin of goods in identified cases where there is reason to doubt the truth or accuracy of the declaration filed by the importer or exporter.
Accessed on 1 November < http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=107242 >

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Islamic Republic of Iran, Afghanistan to hold joint trade fairs. IRNA, 12 November 2005.
In order to further promote exports of non-oil products from the South Khorasan province, the Islamic Republic of Iran will invite Afghan traders and businessmen to hold joint trade exhibitions to showcase the potentials of the two countries. The South Khorasan province with about 400 kilometer of common border with Afghanistan is considered as an economic hub in the region with the potential of creating wide scale employment. Modernized and fully-equipped customs houses could help to further promote exports from the province.
Accessed on 21 November < http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-237/0511122651193336.htm >

NEPAL
Nepal to become transit corridor for Sino-Indian trade. People’s Daily Online, 14 November 2005.
Nepal has adopted a high-level task force's report on developing Nepal as transit corridor for Sino-Indian trade and has asked all ministries to formulate their respective action plans to facilitate its enforcement. The government will come up with a concrete plan on infrastructure development, trade facilitation system, identification of cost effective routes, besides initiating necessary dialogue with concerned stakeholders. In line with the plan, Nepal has set aside resources in the 2005-2006 budget to develop a number of north-south roads that will link India with China through Nepal.
Accessed on 21 November
< http://english.people.com.cn/200511/14/eng20051114_221063.html >

SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION
Dhaka Declaration - Thirteenth SAARC Summit. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, 13 November 2005.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka met at the Thirteenth Summit Meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 12 - 13 November 2005. The meeting focused on regional cooperation, poverty alleviation, funding mechanisms, advancing economic cooperation, South Asia's social and environmental challenges, combating terrorism and more.
Accessed on 22 November < http://www.mofa.gov.bd/13saarcsummit/dhaka_summit_declaration.html >
The Dhaka Declaration is accessible at < http://www.saarc-sec.org/main.php?id=159&t=7.1 >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States of America and India establish economic focus groups to promote trade. Office of the United States Trade Representative, 14 November 2005.
India and the United States agreed to establish focus groups on agriculture, tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, services, investment and innovation and creativity as a result of the inaugural session of the United States-India Trade Policy Forum in New Delhi. The focus groups have been established with a view to facilitating and promoting greater trade and investment flows between the two countries.
Accessed on 21 November < http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=November&x=20051114173342ESnamfuaK0.4971125&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html >

GEORGIA
Customs tax on transited cargoes to be abolished. Prime News, 18 November 2005.
The Parliament of Georgia has decided to discuss a bill of amendments to the Law on Customs Taxes, providing for abolishment of the customs tax for the cargoes transited through Georgia, namely the abolishment of the tax for transit by car, train or ship – 200, 300 and 400 GEL respectively. The tax is to be replaced by a fixed tax - 5 Euros for cargo less than 2000 Kg and 60 Euros for cargo heavier than 2000 Kg.
Accessed on 21 November
< http://eng.primenewsonline.com/?c=122&a=4207&sid=dcd82264bea1815e374ef025b787fbb1 >

INDIA
Kyoto Call: Customs rules to be simplified. Economic Times, 11 November 2005.
Customs procedures are set to be further simplified with India acceding to the revised International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procedures better known as Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). India accessed RKC on 3 November 2005. The convention is expected to become operational by February 2006.
Accessed on 21 November < http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1291606.cms >

NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand Customs office opened in China. Stuff.co.nz, 23 November 2005.
New Zealand has opened its first Customs office in Beijing in a step towards fighting the increasing amount of methamphetamine imported into New Zealand. Customs will work with Chinese and other international law enforcement agencies to help combat international criminal activity and address other security concerns. Furthermore, collaboration between the two countries’ Customs and New Zealand trade policy officials is planned to support New Zealand Free Trade Agreement negotiations with China.
Accessed on 24 November < http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3488706a10,00.html >

PAKISTAN
New customs station at Afghan border. The Daily Times, 24 November 2005.
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) of Pakistan has added Burki at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as a new customs station to facilitate trade between the two countries. Customs stations are being relocated according to the requirements of the business community as well as of the CBR. Pakistan hopes that Afghan Customs also establish their station at the same place to facilitate imports and exports at one point.
Accessed on 25 November
<http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005%5C11%5C24%5Cstory_24-11-2005_pg5_11>

40 per cent import duty levied on telecom equipment. The Daily Times, 24 November 2005.
Pakistan has imposed a 40 per cent duty on the import of telecom equipment, but has exempted Chinese equipment from the import duty. Chinese companies are manufacturing telecom components locally and duty-free import does not hurt the local industry’s business scope.
Accessed on 25 November < http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005/11/24/story_24-11-2005_pg5_4>

THAILAND
Customs to step fight against new range of fake goods. MCOT.org, 22 November 2005.
At a week-long workshop on “Application of Targeted Risk Management for Customs” which was jointly organized by the European Union and ASEAN under their Intellectual Property Rights Co-operation Programme, the Thai Customs Department reiterated that Thailand was working with all relevant parties within Thailand and beyond to suppress the production and trade of fake goods. Recent global trends show that counterfeiters are expanding their range of products to include goods that pose a potential danger to consumers, including medicine, food, cosmetics and electronics.
Accessed on 24 November < http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=4635 >

VIET NAM
Viet Nam-China Customs agreement signed. Viet Nam News Agency, 7 November 2005.
Viet Nam and China signed a customs agreement on 7 November to enhance their cooperation in fighting smuggling and trade fraud, and in exchanging information and experiences in the process of modernizing customs procedures. Under the agreement, the two customs agencies will cooperate to create favorable conditions in customs procedures for import-export activities between the two countries, including preparations for the implementation of a single customs check at the Lao Cai - He Kou border gate, within the cooperation framework of the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Accessed on 8 November
< http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=29&NEWS_ID=173772 >

E-customs speeds up trade and reduces expense. Viet Nam Net, 19 November 2005.
Vietnam's new electronic customs system has met expectations of fast clearance in seaports, reducing clearance time well over 50 per cent in certain categories and is thus expected to be introduced to airports and export processing zones soon. To date, the month-old system has received and processed 570 e-customs declarations, 500 of which were import declarations. So far, no declaration or clearance violations have been encountered since introduction of e-customs.
Accessed on 21 November < http://english.vietnamnet.vn/biz/2005/11/512253/ >

EUROPEAN UNION
EU extends import ban on captive birds. Reuters, 16 November 2005.
European Union veterinary experts extended a ban on imports of captive live birds from outside the bloc for a further two months to guard against the spread of bird flu. The ban, which covers captive live birds other than poultry imported for commercial purposes, was imposed in late October and was due to expire at the end of November. Due to the ongoing problem of avian influenza in various regions worldwide, the import ban will remain in place until 31 January 2006, subject to further review.
Accessed on 21 November
< http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=globalNews&storyID=2005-11-16T155322Z_01_SCH657177_RTRUKOC_0_US-BIRDFLU-EU-IMPORTS.xml&archived=False >

INDIA
Non-tariff barriers to come down. The Financial Express, 24 November 2005.
India and Indonesia have decided to work on the problem of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) currently hampering trade between the two countries. Speaking at the Indo-Indonesia business summit in New Delhi, the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India said that there were some NTBs in the animal husbandry and non-agricultural sectors which needed to be removed. Indonesia does not permit import of meat and meat products from India on the ground that India is not free from foot-and-mouth disease.
Accessed on 24 November < http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=109515 >

INDONESIA
Indonesia imposes anti-dumping duties on paracetamol imports from China, United States. Forbes, 9 November 2005.
Indonesia has imposed anti-dumping import duties on paracetamol imported from China and the United States, effective for five years from 25 October 2005. The decision, which was taken following a study done by the Indonesian Anti-Dumping Committee, aims to protect local producers from dumping practices by United States and Chinese suppliers. The import duty for producers from the United States is set at 18.23 per cent, while the rate for Chinese producers is two-tiered: 3.76 per cent for one specific company and 18.62 per cent for other companies. Accessed on 21 November
< http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/11/09/afx2325959.html >

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Assembly passes bill to open up rice market. Minjok-Tongshin, 24 November 2005.
The National Assembly ratified a set of rice import agreements designed to give exporting countries greater access to the domestic market in exchange for delaying full liberalization. Currently, the price of home-grown rice stands at around 180,000 won per 80 kilograms, up to eight times more than crops grown in the United States or China. The agreements require the Republic of Korea to import about 225,000 metric tons of rice, or 4.4 per cent of its domestic consumption, by the year's end and of the total, about 22,500 tons should be made available at stores. It will be the first time that imported rice will be sold from exporters directly to Korean consumers. So far, imported rice can only be purchased by food-processing firms.
Accessed on 25 November < http://www.minjok.com/english/news.php3?code=937 >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation, EU agree on new steel import quota. Business Week, 3 November 2005.
The Russian Federation and the EU have agreed to raise quotas for the import of Russian steel to Europe by 11 per cent next year, further opening Russian producers' access to lucrative markets. Under agreement, Russian steel makers had been allowed to export 2 million metric tons of steel. Next year, the quota will be raised to 2.3 million metric tons. The new quota will be effective until the end of next year or at the time the Russian Federation joins the World Trade Organization
Accessed on 7 November
< http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8DL2VVG7.htm? >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Committee for the implementation of textile agreements extends China safeguard decisions. Community Dispatch, 10 November 2005.
On 10 November 2005, the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) announced that it will extend until 30 November 2005, the period for making determinations on imports of women's and girls' cotton and man-made fiber shirts and blouses, not-knit; cotton and man-made fiber skirts; cotton and man-made fiber nightwear and pajamas; and cotton and man-made fiber swimwear. CITA is currently evaluating the implications of the textile agreement on the pending safeguard requests.
Accessed on 21 November < http://communitydispatch.com/artman/publish/article_2800.shtml >

BHUTAN
Another step in the Tala tariff negotiation. Kuensel Online, 19 November 2005.
Bhutan and India have moved a step closer to a final tariff figure with the fourth round of Tala tariff discussions held in Thimphu. The 1,020 MW Tala hydroelectric project will produce 5,000 million units of electricity a year and, together with the Chukha Hydroelectric Project, the two projects are expected to bring in about 60 to 70 per cent of the total national revenue by exporting power to India. During the discussions, the two countries also signed an “Umbrella Agreement” for sustainable energy cooperation. The agreement is a long-term framework under which a large number of hydropower projects could be developed in Bhutan with Indian assistance. Accessed on 21 November < http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=6262 >

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Brunei Darussalam and Republic of Korea to enhance industrial, IT cooperation. BruDirect, 18 November 2005.
Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Korea held talks on 17 November on enhancing cooperation in the field of industry and information technology. They also discussed other regional issues, particularly efforts to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea as well as other issues of mutual concern.
Accessed on 24 November < http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Nov05/181105/nite01.htm >

CHINA
Saudi Arabia, China pledge to expand energy cooperation. People’s Daily Online, 21 November 2005.
During talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and China pledged to make efforts to boost energy cooperation in various fields. Both sides affirmed the positive results yielded by Sino-Saudi joint ventures, such as oil, petrochemical and natural gas projects. The talks also discussed mining and refining projects involving Chinese firms in Saudi Arabia.
Accessed on 21 November < http://english.people.com.cn/200511/21/eng20051121_222886.html >

Germany to help China build one of the world's fastest trains. China Daily, 21 November 2005.
Germany's largest engineering company announced that it will provide technology for China to set up one of the fastest rail networks on earth to ease transport bottlenecks. It will make three trains that can run at top speeds of 300 kilometers an hour and help a local company build the remaining 57 locomotives. China has set aside 100 billion yuan renminbi to expand the nation's railway network by 35 per cent to 100,000 kilometers in the next five years. Asia's second-largest economy is upgrading its rail service so that it can improve the speed and efficiency of moving people and cargo.
Accessed on 21 November < http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-11/21/content_496643_2.htm >

INDIA
National steel policy gets Cabinet stamp. Indian Express, 4 November 2005.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval to the national steel policy which aims at hiking steel production to over 100 million tonnes. The policy seeks to adopt a multi-pronged strategy: activities on the demand side focus on promotional efforts, creation of awareness and strengthening the delivery chain. On the supply side, measures focus on creation of additional capacity, removal of procedural and policy bottlenecks in the availability of inputs such as iron ore and coal, higher investments in research and development and human resource development and also the creation of infrastructure such as roads, railways and ports target to strengthen the supply side.
Accessed on 7 November < http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=81491 >

PAKISTAN
ADB to finance hydropower project. The Daily Times, 25 November 2005.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help bridge electricity shortfall and encourage the development of hydropower resources in Pakistan through a new US$37.3 million loan. The loan will help finance an approximately 80-megawatt power plant located downstream of the Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The project is expected to begin construction soon and is scheduled to begin commercial generation of electricity by the beginning of 2009. It will be the first large-scale, private sector infrastructure project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Accessed on 25 November
< http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005/11/24/story_24-11-2005_pg5_2 >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation to help build Indonesia’s defense industry. Mosnews, 20 November 2005.
The Russian Federation agreed on 19 November to provide further help in building Indonesia’s defense industry. The presidents of the two countries also agreed upon further cooperation and the provision of technology for Indonesia, and decided that details should be worked out at the level of Cabinet ministers and senior officials.
Accessed on 21 November < http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/11/20/russiahelps.shtml >

SINGAPORE
Shipping industry urged to focus on security, capacity building. Channel News Asia, 22 November 2005.
Singapore pronounced that, besides security, its shipping industry needed to focus on capacity building as well. Speaking at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 24th general assembly session, the Minister of Transport said that though security was still high on the agenda, the industry needed to focus on adopting the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code standard and concentrate on proper implementation and enforcement and asked IMO to take a lead role in addressing security issues.
Accessed on 25 November
< http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/180004/1/.html >

UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT
UNCTAD and ITU announce future collaboration in measuring the digital divide. UNCTAD, 21 November 2005.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have agreed to collaborate in their efforts to measure the magnitude of the digital divide and track global progress in the use of ICTs for development. The two organizations will provide a contribution to developing a Digital Opportunity Index (DOI), or composite ICT development index for international ICT performance evaluation and benchmarking. The development of such an index is one of the goals of the Plan of Action adopted by the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in Geneva in December 2003.
Accessed on 24 November
< http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=6531&intItemID=1528&lang=1 >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States of America reaches tariff agreement on chips. SeattlePi.com, 15 November 2005.
The United States has reached an agreement with the European Union, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan Province of China to eliminate tariffs on multi-chip integrated circuits - the semiconductor devices used in computers, cell phones and other high-technology products. The agreement calls for zero duties on these products at an agreed upon date.
Accessed on 21 November
< http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1700AP_US_Semiconductor_Agreement.html >

BANGLADESH
Laws on investment. The Independent, 13 November 2005.
The Board of Investment has decided to draft a new law on investment to meet the exigencies of signing large multidimensional investment agreements with big investors. The new law is to deal with investment proposals exceeding at least US$1 billion. The necessity of a new law of this kind emerged during the negotiations with a large Indian private sector group because existing rules and regulations did not offer solutions to many a problem that the government negotiators began to experience. Realizing that they may have to face similar problems while dealing with other prospective big investors, the Board of Investment has convinced the government about enacting the new law.
Accessed on 21 November < http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/nov/13/13112005ed.htm >

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Brunei plans to establish Islamic capital market. Brunei Direct, 5 November 2005.
Brunei Darussalam has announced plans to establish an Islamic Capital Bond Market in the country. The Capital Market will be initiated through the issuance of the "Sukuk Al-Ijarah", an Islamic bond whose first issue will be made sometime early next year.
Accessed on 8 November < http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Nov05/041105/nite01.htm >

CHINA
Foreign investors to be allowed to buy A shares. China View, 7 November 2005.
Under the State-share reform plan now being implemented, China is converting nontradable shares, worth about two-thirds of the total capitalization of China’s two stock markets, into regular tradable A shares. Foreign strategic investors will be able to buy future stakes in Chinese listed firms by purchasing those shares. Foreign investors that take strategic stakes through A-share purchases will be subject to “lockup” periods — specified amounts of time that they must continue to hold the shares before being allowed to sell them. The new rules will also stipulate that Chinese publicly traded companies with 25 per cent or more of their shares held by a foreign investor will enjoy special treatment given to Sino-foreign joint ventures.
Accessed on 8 November < http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-11/07/content_3743857.htm >

Insurance industry undergoes reform. China View, 23 November 2005.
The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) on 22 November launched insurance clauses and premium rate management regulations for property and casualty companies, a move to encourage insurers to develop more products and innovations. The new regulations, which will come into effect on 1 January 2006, simplify the examination and approval procedure for new insurance products.
Accessed on 24 November < http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-11/23/content_3821191.htm >

INDIA
FDI norms to be eased in mining, trading. Indian Express, 7 November 2005.
India has initiated a process to liberalize the foreign direct investment policy in mining and trading. A proposal by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion includes suggestions for liberalizing norms for sectors such as coal and lignite, precious stones and floriculture.
Accessed on 8 November < http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=81491 >

JAPAN
Japan plans to invest US$1.4 billion in India. Economic Times, 22 November 2005.
Highlighting the growing economic importance of India, Japan on 22 November announced that it would invest US$1.4 billion in India. The investment will be made in 29 projects, which have already been approved. Eight additional projects are under consideration and, if approved, Japanese FDI from now to 2007 will exceed US$1.5 billion. This will be the second wave of Japanese investment into India, after a first boom from 1991 to 1998 which saw some US$540 million flow into India until India's nuclear test put relationship between the two countries on hold.
Accessed on 24 November < http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1304436,curpg-1.cms >

PHILIPPINES
Opening up of more sectors to foreigners favored. Inquirer News Service, 25 November 2005.
The Consultative Constitutional Commission, which was set up to discuss how the Constitution should be amended, after three months of consultation, reported that an overwhelming majority of business and labor leaders favored liberalization of the economy, including allowing full-foreign ownership of businesses engaged in public utilities, educational institutions, advertising, development of large-scale natural resources, and commercial or industrial land.
Accessed on
<http://money.inq7.net/topstories/view_topstories.php?yyyy=2005&mon=11&dd=25&file=2>

TURKMENISTAN
EBRD opens new TFP line in Turkmenistan. Harold Doan, 22 November 2005.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is making available US$500,000 a year to the Ashgabat branch of the National Bank of Pakistan in Turkmenistan, NBPT, to guarantee the trading operations of private businesses. The line under the EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Programme will guarantee trade instruments issued by NBPT, such as letters of credit, guarantees, promissory notes and bills of exchange, for up to 180-day periods. NBPT actively supports small businesses in Turkmenistan, in line with the EBRD’s strategy for the country which calls for the Bank’s support the private sector.
Accessed on 24 November < http://www.harolddoan.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6965 >

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Republic of Korea seeks financial deregulation. The Korea Times, 22 November 2005.
The Republic of Korea pledged to drastically relax or remove unnecessary regulations hampering financial firms’ businesses. It will overhaul financial regulations and seek legislation on the integration of the capital market. The law will set the ground for the abolishing rules barring financial services firms from offering different types of financial services and take down the boundaries between financial market segments or regulatory entry barriers. It will revise 639 outdated rules in the long-term, with a plan to redress 101 of the 639 regulations as the first phase of the reform project until the first half of next year. Another distinct change in the proposed regulatory reform is that banks will be able to trade derivatives whose underlying assets will include raw material, such as steel, crude oil and grain, in addition to financial derivatives including interest and securities.
Accessed in 25 November 2005
< http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200511/kt2005112217235811860.htm >

THAILAND
Thailand signs trade pacts with Singapore. Today Online, 23 November 2005.
Thailand and Singapore signed 10 pacts promising three billion baht (72.7 million dollars) in investment, aiming to increase business and tourism links between the two Southeast Asian nations. Nine of the pacts covered private sector projects and the 10th a government project, agreed to at the second meeting of the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER) in Bangkok. Singapore is Thailand's second-biggest investor after the United States of America, with investments worth 600 million dollars last year.
Accessed on 25 November < http://www.todayonline.com/articles/86152.asp >

VIET NAM
New investment fund set up. Vietnam Investment Review, 24 November 12005.
The States Securities Commission (SSC) has given its approval to set up a new Investment Fund. The fund is expected to close by next month with D20 billion (US$1.26 million) in capital. Contributions by foreign investors and overseas Vietnamese will make up 49 per cent of the fund’s capital. Operating as a nonpublic investment project, the fund is the first such one in Viet Nam established with member contributions.
Accessed on 24 November < http://www.vir.com.vn/Client/VIR/index.asp?url=content.asp&doc=8801 >

WORLD BANK
World Bank to fund Viet Nam customs modernization. Than Hnien News, 11 November 2005.
The World Bank pledged to extend a US$65.9 million preferential credit to help Viet Nam modernize its customs. The funding aims to facilitate Viet Nam's accession to the World Trade Organization. The customs modernization project will provide consulting services, training, technical assistance and appropriate facilities to support three key operational components and one support component.
Accessed on 21 November < http://www.thanhniennews.com/politics/?catid=1&newsid=10489 >

Read the full report from the financial express:
< http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=109329 >
Accessed on 22 November 2005

… China accounts for 70 per cent of counterfeited goods imported into the EU?
European Union Customs officers seized 500 tons of counterfeited products from golf clubs to mobile phones in May and June as part of a campaign against Chinese infringements of intellectual property law. China accounts for 70 per cent of counterfeited goods imported into the 25-nation EU.

Read the full report from Bloomberg:
< http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=a5sXBYPOD0.8&refer=europe >
Accessed on 21 November 2005

… The Philippines use a hammer to solve corruption at Customs?
How do you solve perennial corruption at the Bureau of Customs? Simply use a hammer. In order to end the "open drawer policy" of bureau of Customs personnel, the Philippines has announced that it will “nail their drawers shut".

Read the full report from the Philippine Star:
< http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200511036601.htm >
Accessed on 3 November 2005.

… Thailand and Singapore aim to double trade and investment by 2010?
Thailand and Singapore will jointly develop incentive packages to boost trade and investment and to remove trade barriers. The countries also plan to offer joint promotion packages to attract tourists from key markets. The target is to attract 1 million tourists from China as well as to other destinations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Read the full report from Yahoo.Finance!
< http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/051123/15/3wrg9.html >
Accessed on 24 November 2005.

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