A. TRADE-RELATED
INFORMATION
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
Working together to reduce losses from
natural disasters in the region. UNESCAP
Press Release (G/01/2005), 21 January
2005
The tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean
has shown the urgent need to address the
risk of common threats caused by natural
hazards for sustainable development in the
Asia Pacific region. In this context, the
United Nations Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) is working
towards coordinating efforts and initiatives
to set up targets for minimizing loss of
lives or damage, as well as for guiding
regional efforts on disaster risk management.
For further information on natural disasters,
including earthquakes and tsunami and
measures that can be taken to help protect
people from such disasters, please refer
to
http://www.unescap.org/icstd/dmp.asp
Accessed on 28 January 2005 < http://www.unescap.org/unis/press/2005/jan/g01.asp
>
ARMENIA
Normal trade relations with the U.S.
granted. The Washington File,
10 January 2005
On 7 January 2005, and with immediate
effect, the Government of the United States
of America issued a proclamation extending
unconditional normal trade relations treatment
to Armenian products entering the country.
Accessed on 13 January 2005 < http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/
>
AUSTRALIA
FTA with the U.S. comes into force.
Australia Trade Minister, 1 January
2005
On 1 January 2005, the Free Trade Agreement
between Australia and the Unites States
of America entered into force. Under the
agreement, more than 97 per cent of Australian
non-agricultural exports (excluding textiles
and clothing) exported to the United States
have become duty free. The FTA also delivers
improved access for Australian agricultural
goods, with around two thirds of agricultural
tariff lines going to zero and a further
nine percent cut to zero within four years.
The FTA gives Australian companies full
access for the first time to the U.S.
federal government procurement market.
Accessed on 18 January 2005 <
http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2005/mvt001_05.html
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Action plan for ACP sugar protocol
countries. EU News, 24 January
2005
On 24 January 2005, the European Commission
presented its action plan aimed at mitigating
potential impacts of the EU sugar reform
and at accompanying the adjustment process
in ACP countries signatories of the Sugar
Protocol. Following the EU sugar reform,
several ACP economies may experience disruption
of their sugar sector. In this context,
the European Commission proposes an Economic
Partnership Agreements (EPA) to support
them in meeting this challenge, by means
of a set of trade and development measures.
In terms of trade measures, the action
plan stresses the Commission’s commitment
to maintain preferential access for ACP
imports.
Accessed on 27 January 2005 < http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleases
>
Approach to EPAs’ broadened.
EU News, 20 January 2005
Based on reaction from civil society and
dialogue with main stakeholders, the EU
Commission has launched a revision of
its approach to the definition of Economic
Partnership Agreements (EPAs). For the
Commission, EPAs are a crucial part of
the contribution that the EU must make
to trade and development. The objective
is to achieve a gradual managed transition
for the ACPs to eventual full participation
in the global trading system responsive
to their development needs. Therefore,
the EPA process will be broader than pure
trade arrangements and cover issues linked
to development policy and support.
Accessed on 24 January 2005 <
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleases
>
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION
(FAO)
Tariff reductions methods in agriculture
discussed. FAO Trade News,
12 January 2005
During the week of 13 December 2004, World
Trade Organization members met for their
last special session on agriculture to
discuss the issues of sensitive products,
in particular the approach to be adopted
regarding tariff reduction commitments.
In the meeting, developing countries called
for an approach to tariff reduction that
does not result in the disruption poor
countries’ rural economies. Sensitive
products are special products for developing
countries essential to food security and
rural livelihood interests.
Accessed on 18 January 2005 < http://www.fao.org/docs/nems/trade/25425/TWN
Info.doc >
B. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS AND CHARGES
CHINA
Catalogue of commodities subject to import
and export licensing issued. Hong
Kong (China) Trade and Industry Department,
7 January 2005
Effective from 1 January 2005, the Government
of China promulgated the ‘Catalogue
of Commodities Subject to Import Licensing
Administration and the Respective Approving
Authorities in 2005’ as well as the
‘Catalogue of Commodities Subject
to Export Licensing Administration and the
Respective Approving Authorities in 2005’.
Both documents are available (in Chinese
only) from the web site of the Chinese Ministry
of Commerce (see link below).
Accessed on 13 January 2005
< http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/asia/2005/ci172005.html
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Licenses for the import of garlic.
Official Journal of the European Union,
15 January 2005
Effective from 15 January 2005, the Commission
of the EU adopted Commission Regulation
(EC) No 63/2005 of 14 January 2005 on
the issue of licenses for the import of
garlic during the period from 1 March
to 31 May 2005.
Accessed on 18 January 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:013:0019:0020:EN:PDF
>
New rules to monitor trade in drug
precursors with third countries. Official
Journal of the European Union, 26
January 2005
Effective from 15 February 2005, the Council
of the EU adopted Council Regulation (EC)
No 111/2005 of 22 December 2004 laying
down rules for the monitoring of trade
between the Community and third countries
in drug precursors.
Accessed on 27 January 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_022/l_02220050126en00010010.pdf
>
Representative prices and additional
import duties for molasses in the sugar
sector. Official Journal of the
European Union, 21 January 2005
Effective from 21 January 2005, the Commission
of the EU adopted Commission Regulation
(EC) No 86/2005 of 20 January 2005 fixing
the representative prices and the additional
import duties for molasses in the sugar
sector.
Accessed on 24 January 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_019/l_01920050121en00170018.pdf
>
Temporary tariff suspension for certain
industrial, agricultural and fishery products.
Hong Kong (China) Trade and Development
Council, 7 January 2005
Effective from 1 January 2005, the Council
of the EU has adopted a Council Regulation
(EC) No. 2271/2004 of 31 December 2004
amending the list of products of which
import tariffs will be totally or partially
suspended. The new Council regulation
extends tariff suspension to a number
of new products, covering mainly chemical
products, plastic products and electrical
equipment while it also removes certain
existing products from the list subject
to tariff suspension.
Accessed on 13 Januarys 2005
< http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/eu/2005/ci142005.html
>
INDIA
Tax holiday extended to export oriented
units. India Ministry of Commerce,
14 January 2005
On 14 January 2005, the Government of
India clarified that any enterprise set
up in the domestic tariff area that is
subsequently converted as a 100 per cent
export oriented unit will qualify for
tax holiday benefits under section 10
B of the Income Tax Act.
Accessed on 18 January 2005 < http://commerce.nic.in/Jan05_release.htm#h28
>
PAKISTAN
Raw sugar exempted from custom duties.
Pakistan Central Board of Revenue,
11 January 2005
On 11 January 2005, the Government of
Pakistan announced its decision to exempt
200,000 tonnes of raw sugar- falling under
heading HS 17.01 and used for the purposes
of refining to white sugar- from the whole
of customs duty subject to certain conditions.
Accessed on 18 January 2005 < http://www.cbr.gov.pk/newcu/sros/Operative/-2005srou1.htm
>
C. NON-TARIFF MEASURES
CHINA
Anti-dumping duties on certain optical
fibres originating in Japan, the Republic
of Korea and the United States of America.
China Council for the Promotion of International
Trade, 4 January 2005
Effective from 1 January 2005, the Government
of China announced anti-dumping import duties
on certain optical fibres made in Japan,
the Republic of Korea and the United States
of America. The new rules impose tariffs
ranging from 7 to 46 per cent during the
next five years. The rules cover G652 optical
fibers, also known as unshifted single-mode
optical fibers, which are largely used for
long-distance communications and TV cables.
Accessed on 18 January 2005
< http://www.ccpit.org/servlet/infosystem.news.ServletNewsFrontEn?actionType=vie
>
Termination of the car import quota
system. Hong Kong (China) Trade
and Development Council, January
2005
Starting from 1 January 2005, the Government
of China has issued the Implementing Rules
for the Issuance of Automatic Import Licence
of Car Products. The new rules imply the
termination of the car import quota system
and its substitution by an automatic import
licence system. The new rules are formulated
in compliance with China's commitments
to the World Trade Organization.
Accessed on 13 January 2005 < http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/cba-e0501news1.htm
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Anti-dumping duty on television camera
systems originating in Japan. Official
Journal of the European Union, 19
January 2005
On 19 January 2005, the Council of the
EU issued Council Regulation (EC) No 84/2005
of 18 January 2005 amending the Annex
to Regulation (EC) No 2042/2000 and imposing
a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports
of television camera systems originating
in Japan.
Accessed on 25 January 2005
<
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_019/l_01920050121en00090014.pdf
>
Tariff quotas for jute and coconut-fibre
products extended. Official Journal
of the European Union, 7 January
2005
Effective from 1 January 2005, the EU
issued Commission Regulation (EC) No 25/2005
of 7 January 2005 amending Council Regulation
(EC) No 32/2000 in order to extend the
EU tariff quotas for jute and coconut-fibre
products.
Accessed on 18 January 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_006/l_00620050108en00040004.pdf
>
INDIA
Anti-dumping duties on lead acid batteries
from Bangladesh, China, Japan and the
Republic of Korea. India Central
Board of Excise and Customs, 4 January
2005
On 4 January 2005, the Government of India
announced the imposition of anti-dumping
duties on lead acid batteries falling
under heading HS 8507 originating in Bangladesh,
China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Accessed on 13 January 2005
< http://www.cbec.gov.in/cae/customs/cs-act/notifications/notfns-2k5/cs1-2k5.htm
>
MALAYSIA
Import quota of cars from ASEAN terminated.
Malaysia Ministry of International
Trade and Industry, 7 January 2005
On 7 January 2005, the Government of Malaysia
announced the termination of the import
quota on cars from member countries of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN). However, the ‘approved
permit’ requirement would still
apply for imported cars from this region
for the purpose of monitoring and collecting
relevant data. ASEAN cars are those that
meet the 40 per cent local content requirement.
Accessed on 18 January 2005 < http://www.miti.gov.my/press-7jan05.html
>
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Progressive removal of ban on imports
of flowers from the Netherlands. Interfax
News, 24 January 2005
On 22 January 2005, the Governments of
the Netherlands and the Russian Federation
signed an agreement on a step-by-step
removal of the ban on imports of flowers
from the Netherlands starting from 15
February 2005. The Russian Federation
banned the imports of flowers from the
Netherlands in the summer of 2004 after
it discovered plants infected with pests.
Accessed on 25 January 2005 < http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/26.html?id_issue=10742098
>
Single veterinary certificate for
meat imports originating in the EU.
Interfax News, 31 December 2004
Effective from 1 January 2005, the Russian
Federation has introduced a single veterinary
certificate for meat imports from the
European Union (EU) into the Russian Federation.
The single veterinary certificate comes
in place of previous certificates signed
by individual countries. The Russian Federation
and the EU have confirmed the single EU
veterinary certificates for 14 kinds of
products.
Accessed on 25 January 2005 < http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/26.html?id_issue=10737288
>
TURKEY
Safeguard measures against textiles
form China. Business-Alert EU,
January 2005
On 23 December 2004, the government of
Turkey decided to take safeguard measures
in the form of quotas against 42 categories
of Chinese textile products (see link
below for details). The categories of
products covered by the quota include
ladies', men's and children's clothing
as well as home and bath textiles. The
quota is reported to have entered into
force on 9 January 2005.
Accessed on 18 January 2005 < http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/eu0501b.htm
>
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Exemption of certain Chinese textiles
and clothing products from safeguard import
limits. Hong Kong (China) Trade
and Development Council, 11 January
2005
Effective from 29 December 2004, the Government
of the United States of America announced
that certain products from China, exempted
from visa and quota requirements under
previous arrangements, will now also be
exempted from limits imposed on textile
and textile product imports from China
under the China-specific textiles safeguards.
Accessed on 19 January 2005
<http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/americas/2005/ci232005.html>
Import duties on frozen shrimp from
six countries. The Washington
File, 6 January 2005
On 6 January 2005, the Government of the
United States of America announced the
imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports
of non-canned, warm-water shrimp and prawns
from Brazil, China, Ecuador, India, Thailand
and Viet Nam. Under the new measure, the
dumping margins range from 2.35 per cent
to 67.8 per cent for Brazil, Ecuador,
India and Thailand; up to 25.76 per cent
for Viet Nam; and up to 112.81 per cent
for China. Simultaneously, the Government
agreed to initiate a review of the cases
concerning India and Thailand to determine
whether the impact of tsunami on shrimp
industries in the two countries justifies
reopening the investigation.
Accessed on 18 January 2005 <http://usinfo.state.gov/
>
D. INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED INFORMATION
BHUTAN
Plan to decrease annual import of ODS.
Kuensel Online, 17 January 2005
The Government of Bhutan has announced its
plan to decrease its annual import of ozone-depleting
substances (ODS) from 150 kilogrammes to
75 kilogrammes. The reduction will be based
on the licensing strategy under the Montreal
Protocol, which outlines what importers
can and cannot do in terms of import and
export of ODS containing products. Worldwide
Bhutan falls under the low volume consumption
category of ODS which means that the country
consumes less than 30 tonnes a year.
Accessed on 19 January 2005
< http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=4947&PHPSESSID=35ab56f0e09e979e9bc04a1fa4b467d4
>
CHINA
New measures on commercial special
permission business. China Ministry
of Commerce, 12 January 2005
On 12 January 2005, the Government of
China issued ‘Management Measures
on Commercial Special Permission Business’,
which will allow franchisors to authorize
franchisees to use trademarks, trade names,
operation pattern and other operation
resources. The measures are intended to
regulate activities in special permission
commercial business, safeguard legal rights
and interests of the persons concerned,
and at the same time promote the development
of commercial special permission business.
Accessed on 20 January 2005
< http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/policyrelease/domesticpolicy/200501/20050100013669.html
>
Construction of new cigarette factories
banned. Hong Kong (China) Trade
and Development Council, 13 January
2005
On 13 January 2005, the Government of
China announced its decision to ban the
construction of new cigarette factories,
including foreign-funded plants, as well
as to bar cigarette distribution by foreign
firms. The Chinese authorities argued
that the country's cigarette manufacturing
capacity exceeds market demands. China
is the world's largest producer and consumer
of cigarettes with an estimated 350 million
smokers, about 36 per cent of its total
population.
Accessed on 20 January 2005 < http://my.tdctrade.com/airnewse/index.asp?id=3983
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
New agricultural policy in place.
EU News, 23 December 2004
From 1 January 2005, 10 EU member states*
have introduced the fundamental reform
of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
agreed in June 2003. The reform significantly
changes the way the EU supports its farm
sector. In the future, most subsidies
will be paid independently from the volume
of production. These new ‘single
farm payments’ will be closely linked
to the respect of environmental, food
safety and animal welfare standards.
* The 10 EU member states that have decided
to introduce the new CAP staring from
1 January 2005 are: Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Accessed on 18 January 2005
<http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1540&format=HTML>
Standard contractual clauses for data
transfers approved. World Business
Organization, 7 January 2005
On 27 December 2004, the European Commission
approved the standard contractual clauses
for data transfers, which from 1 April
2005 will provide a legal basis to European
companies for transfers to data controllers
outside of the European Union. The measure
gives international business an additional
tool to transfer personal data outside
of the European Union. It is the first
time the European Commission has officially
approved a mechanism for data transfers
proposed by the private sector.
Accessed on 20 January 2005
< http://www.iccwbo.org/home/news_archives/2005/data_transfers.asp
>
INDIA
Open Skies air transport agreement
with the U.S. The Washington File,
19 January 2005
On 15 January 2005, India and the United
States of America signed an Open Skies
air transport agreement intended to strengthen
aviation ties between the two countries.
This agreement allows airlines to make
commercial decisions with minimal government
intervention. It provides for open routes,
capacity, frequencies, designations, and
pricing, as well as opportunities for
cooperative marketing arrangements, including
code-sharing. It also includes all-cargo
seventh freedom rights, allowing airlines
to perform international cargo operations
with no connection to their homeland.
Accessed on 25 January 2005
< http://lists.state.gov/SCRIPTS/WA-USIAINFO.EXE?A0=WF-EASIA
>
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
EU restricts greenhouse quotas exchange.
World Business Council for Sustainable
Development, 13 January 2005
Starting from 1 January 2005, the European
Union (EU) launched the trade in greenhouse
gas emission quotas stipulated by the
Kyoto Protocol. However, companies from
the Russian Federation have so far been
denied access to the EU quota exchange.
Only EU companies, certified by the EU
for the permissible emission volumes,
are allowed to buy and sell from the Russian
Federation in direct deals, paying with
investments in Russian energy-efficient
technology projects, rather than in cash.
Accessed on 18 January 2005
< http://www.wbcsd.org/includes/getTarget.asp?type=DocDet&id=12562
>
SOUTH ASIA REGION
SME reconstruction fund in tsunami
affected areas. World Business
Organization, 7 January 2005
The International Chamber of Commerce
(ICC), through its World Chambers Federation
and the World Chambers Network, has set
up a Reconstructing Small Businesses Fund
after the tsunami disaster in this region.
The Fund will be used specifically to
help SMEs in the most affected areas.
Donations from companies, chambers of
commerce and their members will be transferred
to the ICC national committee and/or the
relevant national chamber of commerce
within the areas that are seeking such
assistance for their small local businesses.
Accessed on 13 January 2005
< http://www.iccwbo.org/home/news_archives/2005/Tsunami_fund.asp
>
E. INVESTMENT-RELATED INFORMATION
CHINA
Measures on commercial franchises.
Hong Kong (China) Trade and Development
Council, December 2004
Effective from 1 February 2005, the Chinese
Government promulgated the Administrative
Measures on Commercial Franchising Operations.
Under the new measures, restrictions on
market access and national treatment for
franchising will be removed in line with
China’s commitments under the World
Trade Organization. Detailed provisions
are made for franchising parties, franchise
contracts, information disclosure, advertising
and publicity, supervision and management,
foreign-invested enterprises engaging in
franchising business, legal liability and
other issues. Foreign invested enterprises
wishing to engage in commercial activities
by means of franchising should apply to
the department that originally approved
its establishment to have ‘commercial
franchising’ included in its scope
of business.
Accessed on 20 January 2005 < http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/cba-e0501news2.htm
>
GREATER MEKONG SUB-REGION (GMS)
Cooperation Fund for GMS launched.
ADB News, 18 January 2005
On 18 January 2005, the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) announced that France's national
development agency has contributed €1.5
million (about US$2 million) to establish
a cooperation fund at the Bank to prepare
and design programs for the Greater Mekong
subregion (GMS). The Cooperation Fund
for Project Preparation in the Greater
Mekong Subregion will be administered
by ADB for project preparatory technical
assistance operations with a regional
cooperation focus in the GMS.
Accessed on 25 January 2005 < http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/2005/nr2005007.asp
>
PAKISTAN
Banking sector restructuring and privatization.
World Bank News, 13 January 2005
The World Bank has announced a US$300
million-project to support Pakistan's
efforts at improving the banking sector.
The Banking Sector Development Policy
Project supports the completion of the
third phase of the reform process initiated
by the government in the last decade.
A healthier financial sector is one of
the key structural reforms that Pakistan
has been pursuing to reduce poverty by
stimulating more equitable and inclusive
growth for its citizens.
Accessed on 18 January 2005
<http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/
>
THAILAND
ADB opens country resident mission.
ADB News, 12 January 2005
On 12 January 2005, the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) opened its resident mission
in Thailand. The resident mission is intended
to further enhance ADB's presence in Thailand
and help strengthen its operational activities
in the region. The resident mission will
also enable ADB to become more responsive
to the development needs of the country.
Accessed on 25 January 2005 < http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/2005/nr2005004.asp
>
Approval for three financial institutions
to upgrade. Thailand Ministry
of Finance, 27 December 2004
On 27 December 2004, the Thailand’s
Ministry of Finance approved the applications
of three financial institutions to upgrade
to commercial banks in line with the government’s
master plan for the development of local
financial institutions. The Ministry approved
that Asia Credit Plc could upgrade to
a universal bank, Thai Kheha Credit Fancier
Limited to a retail bank and Societe Generale
as a foreign bank’s branch. Financial
firms which have been granted commercial
bank status must complete the process
within one year. Societe Generale will
need to finish its procedures within six
months after gaining approval.
Accessed on 18 January 2005
<http://www2.mof.go.th/MofNews/271204_MOF
>
VIET NAM
Special regulations for central economic
and commercial zone. Viet Nam
News Agency, 14 January 2005
The Government of Viet Nam has announced
that the Lao Bao economic and commercial
zone in the central province of Quang
Tri will enjoy special regulations on
export and import activities and services;
exit and entry, and residence; as well
as incentives on investment, construction,
taxes and related issues. The special
regulations are intended to boost economic
and commercial cooperation between Viet
Nam, Lao PDR and other neighboring countries.
The regulations will allow Lao nationals,
who have been living in provinces bordering
Quang Tri province, to enter the zone
with their border identity cards or passes
granted by the Lao authorities. The maximum
duration for temporary residence in the
zone will be seven days.
Accessed on 25 January 2005
< http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=30&NEWS_ID=135406
>
F. DID YOU KNOW THAT...?
… big polluters could be allowed
to put money into research rather than cut
emissions?
Under one of the latest proposals for implementing
the Kyoto climate treaty, large industrial
polluters would be allowed to put money
into research and development rather than
cutting greenhouse emissions. Instead of
requiring a 55-megatonne cut from the large
emitters, the draft proposal circulated
for discussion suggests a cut of 20 to 25
megatonnes. Big polluters could earn emissions
credits by contributing to a Technology
Investment Fund intended to foster clean
energy and environment-friendly innovation.
Read the full story from the World Business
Forum for Sustainable Development
< http://www.wbcsd.org/includes/getTarget.asp?type=DocDet&id=12850
>
Accessed on 27 January 2005
… poor people can turn
their own knowledge into higher incomes?
And they can do so by using modern methods
to protect their knowledge and market
it. Until now, the global scene has been
largely defined by the WTO Agreement on
the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights (TRIPS), which mainly
protects knowledge owned by developed
countries. However, a new series of case
studies compiled by two recent World Bank
studies show that the main challenge for
developing countries is to unpackage knowledge
from indigenous products and repackage
it for commercial markets. Findings from
both studies conclude that the WTO framework
for IPRs is insufficient to meet this
challenge. They also suggests that encouraging
NGOs to challenge patent grants may prove
a more effective solution than attempting
to provide additional resources and authority
to regulatory agencies.
Read the full story from the World Bank
< http://web.worldbank.org/
>
Accessed on 25 January 2005
… trade can be a powerful
weapon in the war on poverty?
Opening up trade between developed and
developing countries can be a powerful
driver of economic growth, which is indispensable
for reducing poverty. But, according to
the United Nations Millennium Project’s
Task Force on Trade, making liberalization
work for poor countries requires rebalancing
a system that up to now has mainly served
the interests of wealthy nations.
Read the full story from UNDP
< http://www.undp.org/dpa/pressrelease/releases/2005/january/12-TF9-trade-E.pdf
>
Accessed on 27 January 2005
Information is taken mainly from secondary
sources and UNESCAP accepts no responsibility
for its accuracy. Mention of any companies
and their products does not imply endorsement
by the United Nations.
The designations
employed and the presentation of the material
in this publication do not imply the expression
of any opinion whatsoever on the part of
the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning
the legal status of any country, territory,
city or area, or of its authorities, or
concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
©2005 United Nations
|
ISSUE
2/2005