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New GSP accelerated for tsunami affected countries. EU News Trade, 11 February 2005
On 11 February 2005, in response to the Tsunami disaster the EU proposed to accelerate the new Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme. The new GSP scheme will now come into effect on 1 April 2005 until 31 December 2008. The focus of the new regime is on developing countries most in need in the tsunami affected region such as Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Accessed on 16 February 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/asem/pr100205_en.htm >

Report on the operation of the CMO in bananas adopted. EU News Agriculture, 17 February 2005
On 17 February 2005, the European Commission adopted a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the operation of the common market organization (CMO) in bananas. The report provides basic information, figures and graphs on the structure and implementation of the CMO in bananas (producers' organizations, compensatory aid, structural measures and trade with third countries), on the special framework of assistance for traditional ACP banana suppliers and on the market trends in the EU. The European Commission is currently engaged in negotiations under Article XXVIII of the GATT in order to introduce a ‘tariff only’ regime for banana imports as of 1 January 2006.
Accessed on 25 February 2005 < http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/newsroom/en/207.htm >

JAPAN
Economic framework with Canada launched. Canada Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, 20 January 2005
On 19 January 2005, the Governments of Canada and Japan launched the Canada-Japan Economic Framework. This framework will be structured to focus on forward-looking strategic priorities, including policy dialogue, facilitation and promotion of trade and investment, as well as regulatory cooperation.
Accessed on 9 February 2005 < http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/can-jap-ecoframe-en.asp >

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
Bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. comes into force. The U.S. Federal Register, 11 February 2005
On 4 February 2005, the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic-United States of America bilateral trade agreement entered into force. After this date, all Lao products of entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, will be granted most-favored-nation treatment by the United States of America. On 18 September 2003, the the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the United States of America signed a trade agreement obligating reciprocal most-favored-nation treatment between the two countries.
Accessed on 16 February 2005
< http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-2723.pdf >

SRI LANKA
FTA with Pakistan signed. Sri Lanka Board of Investment, 14 February 2005
Sri Lanka and Pakistan signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The two countries agreed on a protocol to the FTA covering services and investments sectors and for the provision of export credit facility of US$ 10 million to Sri Lanka and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and collaboration in the agricultural sector. MoUs were also signed between the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Council and Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Forum on cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries, including their respective Chambers of Commerce and Industry. In addition, cooperation and collaboration in the field of gemstones and jewellery was also agreed.
Accessed on 21 February 2005 < http://www.boi.lk/NewsPortal/View.asp?NewsID=1884&CatID=1 >

UNITED NATIONS (UN)
Kyoto Protocol comes into force. UN News service, 16 February 2005
On 16 February 2005, the United Nations Kyoto treaty against global warming came into force. Under the Kyoto Protocol to the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change industrialized countries are to reduce their combined emissions of six major greenhouse gases during the five-year period from 2008 to 2012 to below 1990 levels. So far 140 countries have ratified the accord.
Accessed on 18 February 2005 < http://www0.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=13359&Cr=global&Cr1=warm >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
U.S. rejoins International Coffee Group. U.S. Department of State, 7 February 2005
With effect from 3 February 2005, the U.S. announced its accession to the 2001 International Coffee Agreement and became a member of the International Coffee Organization (ICO). The United States pulled out of the organization in 1993 citing concerns over ICO quota policies, but announced its intention to rejoin the organization in September 2004.
Accessed on 11 February 2005
< http://lists.state.gov/SCRIPTS/WA-USIAINFO.EXE?A2=ind0502a&L=WF-EASIA&D=0&P=9321 >

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
Standards and Trade Development Facility boosted. WTO News, 10 February 2005
On 4 February 2005, the Government of the United Kingdom and the WTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding over a contribution of about US$ 1.6 million to the Standards and Trade Development Facility. The facility is a programme intended to assist developing countries in improving their expertise and capacity to analyze and implement international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
Accessed on 16 February 2005
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres05_e/pr395_e.htm

Representative prices and additional duties for the import of certain products in the sugar sector. Official Journal of the European Union, 22 February 2005
Effective from 22 February 2005, the European Commission issued Commission Regulation (EC) No 292/2005 of 21 February 2005 amending the representative prices and additional duties for the import of certain products in the sugar sector fixed by Regulation (EC) No 1210/2004 for the 2004/2005 marketing year.
Accessed on 24 February 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_049/l_04920050222en00070008.pdf >

VIET NAM
Import duty rate on alcohol reduced. Viet Nam Ministry of Finance, 27 January 2005
Effective from 1 January 2005, the Government of Viet Nam has issued a regulation to reduce duty rate on 44 kinds of imported alcohol from 80 per cent to 65 per cent. The products are kinds of alcohol in HS groups 2204, 2205, 2206 and 2208. HS group 2204 includes kinds of alcohol made from fresh grape, even grape-based high degree alcohol. HS group 2205 includes vermouth alcohol and other kinds of wine made from fresh grape and flavored by herbals. HS group 2206 includes yeasted beverages such as apple and pear wine as well as mixture of yeasted beverages and non-alcohol beverages. HS group 2208 includes etilic 80 per cent alcohol, strong alcohol, etc.
Accessed on 11 February 2005 < http://www.mof.gov.vn/DefaultE.aspx?tabid=356&ItemID=20100 >

Rebate on the import tax on motorbikes from EU. Viet Nam Trade Information Centre, 31 January 2005
On 18 January 2005, the Government of Viet Nam issued a regulation reducing import tax on imported motorbikes originating from the European Union (EU). Under the new regulation, 3,500 complete motorbikes from EU countries will enjoy import tax cut of 30 per cent from previous 100 per cent to 70 per cent.
Accessed on 11 February 2005 < http://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/asemvn/asps/news.asp?idnews=6364&tuan=5 >

WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO)
Amendments to the harmonized system nomenclature. WCO News, 16 February 2005
The World Customs Organization has issued the new amendments to the harmonized system nomenclature which will become effective from 1 January 2007. The amendments are the third major revision of the Harmonized System since it was approved in 1983 and it includes 354 sets of amendments. The main sources of the amendments include technological progress; change in trade patterns; clarification of texts to ensure uniform application; and adaptation of the nomenclature to reflect trade practice. Amendments related to the social and environmental fields, i.e., new subheadings aim to facilitate the monitoring and control of certain species of fish; products of bamboo (INBAR (FAO)); pesticides (Rotterdam Convention); ozone-depleting substances (Montreal Protocol); and products containing asbestos.
Accessed on 21 February 2005
< http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Topics_Issues/HarmonizedSystem/HS2007-net-Eng.pdf >

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Preferential tariff quota for imports of raw cane sugar originating in the ACP countries. Journal of the European Union, 25 February 2005
Effective for the period from 1 March to 30 June 2005, the European Commission issued Commission Regulation (EC) No 307/2005 of 24 February 2005 opening a preferential tariff quota for imports of raw cane sugar originating in the ACP countries for supply to refineries. Under the new regulation, a special reduced duty of Euro 0 per 100 kg of standard quality raw sugar will apply to imports of raw cane sugar falling within CN code 1701 11 10, amounting to 17, 824 tonnes expressed as white sugar originating in the ACP countries.
Accessed on 28 February 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_052/l_05220050225en00110012.pdf >

Special conditions for imports of fishery and aquaculture products originating in the Russian Federation. Official Journal of the European Union, 19 February 2005
Effective from 24 June 2005, the European Commission issued Commission Decision of 18 February 2005 amending Decision 97/102/EC and laying down special conditions governing imports of fishery and aquaculture products originating in the Russian Federation, as regards the designation of the competent authority and the model of health certificate notified under document number C (2005) 357 Article 2.
Accessed on 28 February 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_051/l_05120050224en00230025.pdf >

Special conditions for imports of fishery products from Hong Kong, China. Journal of the European Union, 28 January 2005
Effective from 17 March 2005, the European Commission issued Commission Decision of 28 January 2005 laying down special conditions for imports of fishery products from Hong Kong, China. Under the new regulation, each consignment should be accompanied by a numbered original health certificate (as set out in Annex I of the regulation) comprising a single sheet, duly completed, signed and dated. The fishery products should come from approved establishments, factory vessels, or cold stores, or from registered freezer vessels (as listed in Annex II of the regulation). All packages should bear the word ‘HONG KONG’ and the approval/ registration number of the establishment, factory vessel, cold store or freezer vessel of origin in indelible letters, except in the case of frozen fishery products in bulk and intended for the manufacture of preserved foods.
Accessed on 16 February 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_028/l_02820050201en00540058.pdf >

Surveillance systems of imports of certain footwear products originating in third countries. Official Journal of the European Union, 27 January 2005
On 27 January 2005, the European Commission issued Commission Regulation (EC) No 117/2005 of 26 January 2005 introducing surveillance of imports of certain footwear products originating in certain third countries. The provisions of Chapter 1 of this regulation will apply from the 1 February 2005 until 31 January 2006, at the latest.
Accessed on 16 February 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_024/l_02420050127en00080014.pdf >

HONG KONG, CHINA
Licensing/certification requirements for textiles. Hong Kong (China) Trade and Industry Department, 5 February 2005
On 5 February 2005, the Government of Hong Kong, China issued the textiles licensing/certification requirements, which will be in effect from 2005 onwards.
Accessed on 11 February 2005 < http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/import_export/textiles/files/2005e_quota.pdf >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Anti-dumping duty on imports of magnesium metal from China and the Russian Federation. U.S. Department of State, 18 February 2005
On 17 February 2005, the Government of the United States of America issued a determination imposing an anti-dumping duty on imports of magnesium metal from China and the Russian Federation. A final determination of the U.S. International Trade Commission on injury is expected in April 2005. In the meantime, U.S. customs agents will collect a cash deposit or bond on any imports of the products.
Accessed on 24 February 2005
< http://lists.state.gov/SCRIPTS/WA-USIAINFO.EXE?A2=ind0502c&L=WF-EASIA&D=0&P=7292 >

Anti-dumping duty on imports of tissue paper from China. U.S. Department of State, 7 February 2005
On 4 February 2005, the Government of the United States of America issued a determination imposing an anti-dumping duty of 112.64 per cent on imports of tissue paper from China. A final determination of the U.S. International Trade Commission on injury is expected in March 2005. In the meantime, U.S. customs agents will collect a cash deposit or bond on any imports of the products.
Accessed on 16 February 2005
< http://lists.state.gov/SCRIPTS/WA-USIAINFO.EXE?A2=ind0502a&L=WF-EASIA&D=0&P=8862 >

VIET NAM
Transfers of textile quotas to the United States of America allowed. Viet Nam Economy News, 18 February 2005
The Government of Viet Nam has agreed in principle to allow companies to transfer textile-garment quotas to the United States of America among themselves. The Government has assigned the Ministries of Trade and Industry to consider and oversee such transfers through specific regulations and mechanisms.
Accessed on 25 February 2005 < http://www.vneconomy.com.vn/eng/?param=article&catid=06&id=050218100707 >

AUSTRALIA
Index to track industry record on environment. World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 17 February 2005
On 17 February 2005, the Australian Government launched on a trial basis the Australian Sustainable Asset Management (SAM) Sustainability Index (AuSSI). The index is intended to track industry record on the environment. It comprises 70 companies selected from the Australian Stock Exchange, which outrank on a range of environmental and social criteria. By consulting the AuSSI, investors will be able to compare the day-to-day performance of these ‘sustainability leaders’ against the benchmark.
Accessed on 24 February 2005
< http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=13221 >

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)
International labour convention for seafarers' ID documents comes into force. ILO News, 10 February 2005
On 9 February 2005, the international Convention that creates the first global biometric identification system for issuing secure identity documents to the 1.2 million seafarers in the world seas came into force. The Convention establishes a comprehensive security system that enables the first global implementation of biometric identification technology on a mandatory basis enabling positive identification of the seafarer that holds the document.
Accessed on 18 February 2005 < http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inf/pr/2005/7.htm >

THAILAND
New export destination facility. EXIM Bank of Thailand, 10 February 2005
On 10 February 2005, the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) of Thailand announced the launch of a new Export Destination Facility programme, which will run from February to December 2005 with the aim to encourage exporters’ penetration into new export markets. Under the program, Thai exporters will benefit from EXIM free export document checking services and can receive a 50 per cent rebate in the Buyer/Buyer Bank Risk Assessment Report service for buyers in new markets of exporters.
Accessed on 16 February 2005 < http://www.exim.go.th/eng/newsroom/news_detail.asp?tran_ID=48000001263 >

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (UNESCAP)
UNESCAP launches pro-poor bio-diversity park in Pakistan. UNESCAP News Bulletin, 5 February 2005
On 31 January 2005, the first biodiversity park of its kind in the world was opened in Rawalpindi, Pakistan by UNESCAP, government and corporate representatives. The Dutch-funded project is part of UNESCAP's Pro-Poor Public Private Partnership, a follow up of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Accessed on 11 February 2005 <http://www.unescap.org/unis/UN_ESCAP_News_Bulletin/2005/05-Feb/Feb_05.asp>

WORLD SUMMIT ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY (WSIS)
Digital Solidarity Fund established. UN News Service, 25 February 2005
The World Summit on the Information Society has agreed to establish a Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) to help build up the necessary know-how and infrastructure in developing countries. About 60 per cent of the resources of the Fund are already earmarked for the 50 least developed countries, 30 per cent for developing countries and 10 per cent for developed and transition economies. In addition to cash and in-kind donations made by private companies, citizens and any other institutions, voluntary gifts can take the form of a 1 per cent contribution on public ICT procurement contracts or through a donation by public authorities.
Accessed on 28 February 2005
< http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=13469&Cr=information&Cr1=technology >

INDONESIA
New infrastructure projects proposed to investors. Indonesia Infrastructure Summit 2005, 11 February 2005
From 17 to 18 January 2005, during the Private Public Partnership for Infrastructure Development Summit held in Jakarta (Indoensia), the Government of Indonesia invited domestic and foreign investors to take part in 37 infrastructure projects in power and energy, telecom, transportation, water and sanitation. These projects, whose financing needs are estimated to be around US$ 75 billion, constitute the first phase of investment in infrastructure planned over the next five years. The Government will finance about 20 per cent of the investment, and the remainder will be offered to both foreign and domestic investors.
Accessed on 18 February 2005 < http://www.iisummit2005.com/news10.html >

SINGAPORE
Investment agreement with Indonesia signed. Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry, 16 February 2005
On 16 February 2005, Indonesia and Singapore signed an Investment Guarantee Agreement to promote greater investment flows between the two countries. The agreement aims to provide investors in both countries greater confidence when considering cross-border transactions. Key elements of the agreement include the provision of most favored nation treatment to be accorded to investments, freely convertible and transferable compensation in the event of expropriation and nationalization, and referral of investment disputes that cannot be settled to the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
Accessed on 24 February 2005 < http://www.mti.gov.sg/public/NWS/frm_NWS_Default.asp?sid=38&cid=2286 >

THAILAND
Two new commercial banks to open. Thailand Board of Investment, 21 January 2005
On 21 January 2005, the Bank of Thailand announced that under the government’s financial master plan two new commercial banks will open for service this year, one of which is a major bank and the other a small one. Non-performing loans in Thailand’s banking system have declined to 11 per cent. Of this, 50 per cent is under negotiation for debt compromise, and 45 per cent is being settled in court.
Accessed on 25 February 2005
< http://www2.mof.go.th/MofNews/210105_TwoNewBanksToOpenThisYear_MCOT.htm >

VIET NAM
Import tax rate on 20 commodities amended. Viet Nam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15 February 2005
The Government of Viet Nam has issued a decree amending and supplementing the list of commodities and import tax rates for the implementation of Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) of ASEAN* countries for the period 2005-2013. According to the new decree, import declarations of the 20 groups of commodities under the list which have been registered with the customs authorities as of 1 January 2005, will be subject to the various preferential tax rates.

* ASEAN member countries are: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Accessed on 21 February 2005 < http://www.mof.gov.vn/DefaultE.aspx?tabid=356&ItemID=20424 >

Remaining SOEs to join the stock market. Viet Nam News Agency, 17 February 2005
The Government of Viet Nam has announced the equitisation of the ten remaining State-owned garment and textile enterprises (SOEs) during 2005, bringing the total joint stock businesses in the sector to 49. According to the Government, among these targeted businesses, the Government will hold a majority stake in the Hoang Thi Loan Garment and Textile Company, a financially self-reliant subsidiary of the Viet Nam Garment and Textile Corporation (Vinatex).
Accessed on 24 February 2005
< http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=30&NEWS_ID=139189 >

WORLD BANK
Increase in funds available to poor countries. World Bank Press Review, 24 February 2005
Under an agreement reached by donor nations, the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) will receive around US$34 billion over the next three years starting from July 2005, which means a 25 per cent increase in funds available for poor countries. Donor countries will provide US$18 billion, with the remaining US$16 billion provided by repayments from borrowers and a relatively small transfer from the bank's coffers. The donors agreed to the allocation of grants and loans to poor countries based solely on an assessment of the sustainability of a country's debt burden.
Accessed on 25 February 2005 < http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/ >

Read the full story from UNDP Networking and Information Technology Observatory
http://www.sdnp.undp.org/perl/news/articles.pl?id=7381&do=gpage
Accessed on 18 February 2005

… NGOs identify European governments whose aid commitments, trade and debt policies are not responding to the needs of the poorest countries?
Three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have launched a report which names European Union (EU) governments whose aid commitments, trade and debt policies have failed to respond to the needs of the poorest countries. The report, entitled ‘EU Heroes and Villains: Which countries are living up to their promises on aid, trade, and debt?’, highlights the discrepancy between aid donors. The report calls on the EU to commit to the 0.7 per cent target by 2010 at the same time that it encourages donors to improve the quality of their aid.

Read the full story and access the report from Oxfam
http://www.oxfam.org/eng/pr050214_heroes.htm
Accessed on 25 February 2005

… the sports footwear industry is making progress in eliminating sweatshops?
On 4 February 2005, the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) released the report ‘Implementing Codes of Conduct: How businesses manage social performance in global supply chains’ assessing the progress made by the sports footwear industry in eliminating so-called sweat shops linked to the apparel and retail sectors. The report, based on interviews and visits to over 90 enterprises and suppliers throughout the world, states that brand recognition and intense consumer scrutiny have led the sports footwear companies to develop more sophisticated approaches to code implementation.

Read the full story from ILO
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inf/pr/2005/4.htm
Accessed on 11 February 2005

… the Thai government is promoting the adoption of open source software?
The Government of Thailand is encouraging governments and organizations to start using open source software for server communication applications and for desktop office productivity applications, and to migrate to other applications later. The Government also recommends that schools and universities run introductory open source computer courses and that a Linux professional certification programme should be set up as to ensure that more people have open source skills.

Read the full story from Public Sector Technology and Management
http://www.pstm.net/article/index.php?articleid=523
Accessed on 28 February 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.