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CHINA
China launches first economic and trade cooperation zone in Africa. China Economic Net, 5 February 2007. China has launched an economic and trade cooperation zone in the Zambian capital of Lusaka, the first of its kind established by the country in Africa. The zone is part of China’s efforts to fulfill its promises to boost its full-fledged cooperation with African nations. Zambia pledged to further improve the investment environment and expressed hopes that more Chinese and foreign enterprises would settle in the zone, bringing along with them know how and expertise necessary for the development of the zone and Zambia at large. The construction of the zone is expected to boost the development of Zambia’s light industry and the sectors of construction materials, home electrical appliance, pharmacy and food processing, increase the country’s exports and create job opportunities for locals.
Accessed on 6 February
< http://en.ce.cn/National/Politics/200702/05/t20070205_10317327.shtml >

HONG KONG, CHINA
New supplemental CEPA pact broached. News.gov.hk, 13 February 2007.
China and Hong Kong, China are striving to reach a consensus before July to give substance to a new supplemental agreement on the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). At the first CEPA Senior Officials Meeting in Hong Kong, China, further liberalization of the services trade and advancement of trade and investment facilitation under the pact was discussed. CEPA is the first free trade agreement (FTA) signed by China and Hong Kong, China. It covers liberalization and cooperation measures in trade in goods, trade in services, and trade and investment facilitation. At present, all Hong Kong, China products satisfying the CEPA rules of origin are entitled to tariff-free treatment upon importation into China. Service suppliers of Hong Kong, Chian in 27 service areas can also enjoy preferential treatment in accessing the Chinese market.
Accessed on 14 February
< http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/businessandfinance/070213/html/070213en03005.htm >

INDIA
India to build trade facilities in Nepal. South Asian Media, 13 February 2007.
In a bid to expand the scope of engagement with its neighbor, India is spending Rs 119 crores (An Indian crore is equal to 100 lakhs or 10 million) to build up trade infrastructure in Nepal. This is a part of the overall expenditure of Rs 316 crores, which is being utilized to improve facilities on both sides of the India-Nepal border for boosting trade, including four Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on the border. These ICPs would house all regulatory agencies like immigration, customs, border security together with support facilities like parking, warehousing, banking and hotels in a single complex equipped with modern amenities. India also plans around seven ICPs on the Indo-Bangladesh border as well as one with both Pakistan and Myanmar. The Government will set up a Land Ports Authority to oversee and regulate the construction, management and maintenance of the ICPs.
Accessed on 14 February
< http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=363182&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN >

Government for collective review of negative list by SAARC. Zee News, 17 February 2007.
India stated that the country favoured a collective review of the negative list in the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) to include a large quantum of trade which still remains outside the free trade purview. The Union Minister of State for Commerce said that about 53 per cent of trade remains outside SAFTA, which did not make the agreement meaningful. He suggested a collective review of the negative list to do justice to the letter and spirit of SAFTA. SAFTA includes total 750 item in the negative list.
Accessed on 19 February
< http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=354852&sid=NAT >

INDONESIA
Indonesia-EU set up working group on trade and investment. Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board, 31 January 2007.
Indonesia and the European Union have agreed to set up a joint working group on trade and investment, which is expected to become a core forum for the establishment of a free trade agreement between the two parties. The working group will help business people from both sides to study businesses prospects both in Indonesia and in European countries. As an initial step, Indonesia will organize forum to be attended by businesses from European countries.
Accessed on 1 February < http://www.bkpm.go.id/en/news.php?mode=baca&info_id=5519 >

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Islamic Republic of Iran and Kyrgyzstan to jointly run economic databank. IRNA, 17 February 2007.
The Chamber of Cooperatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran said that the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kyrgyzstan were to establish a jointly run economic databank to help promote business cooperation between the two countries. The economic data bank will help the two sides increase the current volume of trade exchange.
Accessed on 20 February
< http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0702179858185733.htm >

JAPAN
Japan revises FTA with Singapore and holds first FTA talks with Viet Nam. Yahoo News, 18 January 2007.
Japan and Singapore have basically agreed to partially revise their bilateral free trade agreement which was struck in 2002. The revisions will allow the two nations’ financial institutions to sell their investment trusts in the other country as part of measures to ease regulations in the financial service sector. To advance financial deregulation, Singapore will also broaden the slots for banking licenses to Japanese banks that are establishing themselves in Singapore. The revisions also include improved market access under which Japan will immediately eliminate tariffs on goods imported from Singapore such as mango, durian, asparagus and shrimp. Meanwhile, Japan and Viet Nam held their first formal negotiations aimed at sealing a bilateral FTA, discussing in broad terms a framework for moving the FTA talks forward.
Accessed on 20 February < http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070118/kyodo/d8mnmd9o0.html >

KYRGYZSTAN
Kyrgyz-Uzbek free travel to boost trade. IWPR, 8 February 2007.
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have reached a border agreement allowing visa-free travel between the two countries to ease border tension and increase trade. Upon signing, the people will be able to travel between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan without a visa if their stay in either country is less than two months. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan share a 1,375 kilometres long border. Visa requirements were introduced in 2000 when relations between the two countries deteriorated.
Accessed on 14 February < http://www.iwpr.net/?p=bca&s=b&o=329196&apc_state=henh >

PAKISTAN
Pakistan and Switzerland agree to start negotiations on FTA. Bilaterals, 29 January 2007.
Pakistan and Switzerland have decided to initiate negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in order to promote trade and economic relations and further strengthen bilateral relations. The decision was taken during a meeting at the sidelines of annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Accessed on 31 January < http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=7027 >

Pakistan and Belgium to expand trade relations. Business Recorder, 30 January 2007.
Pakistan and Belgium have decided to expand cooperation for increasing their political, diplomatic, trade, economic and cultural relations. Pakistan raised the desire to sign an FTA with the European Union and asked for support and cooperation from Belgium in this regard. The two countries also signed a debt swap agreement for euro 30 million assistance being provided by the Belgium Government to Pakistan, following the October 2005 earthquake for the rehabilitation and reconstruction in the affected areas.
Accessed on 31 January
< http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=523327&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate= >

PHILIPPINES
Senate OK’s affordable medicine measure. Manila Times, 1 February 2007.
The Senate of the Philippines approved the Senate Bill 2263, which seeks to amend specific provisions of the Intellectual Property Code to make medicines more affordable in the country. The bill seeks to address the three major obstacles to the people’s access to affordable quality medicines, namely a) the structure of the pharmaceutical industry: the industry in the Philippines is characterized by extreme concentration of market power, controlled by a handful of players; b) behavioral orientation of consumers, doctors and public health institutions: consumers have yet to fully appreciate the value for money offered by generic substitutes and doctors and public health institutions must inform their patients, particularly the poor, about generic substitutes; and c) protectionist provisions of the existing law: because of a highly technical and complex nature of the intellectual property system, multinational pharmaceutical companies have dominated the application of the intellectual property law to the disadvantage of public welfare.
Accessed on 1 February
< http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/feb/01/yehey/metro/20070201met8.html >

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Republic of Korea and United States of America reach first agreement in FTA talks. The Hankyoreh, 13 February 2007.
The Republic of Korea and the United States on 12 February decided not to impose tariffs on digital songs and movies, the first formal agreement in their wide-ranging free trade agreement talks. The talks were launched in June 2006 to forge a free trade agreement between the two economies. The Republic of Korea, the world’s 11th largest economy, is the United States’ seventh largest trading partner with two-way trade reaching US$ 74 billion in 2006. The two sides have already reported big progress in least sensitive areas, but admit that a real breakthrough would not come without agreement in three most sensitive areas -- anti-dumping remedies, cars and pharmaceuticals.
Accessed on 14 February < http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_business/190386.html >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation and Jordan conclude agreements. Itar-Tass, 13 February 2007.
The Russian Federation and Jordan have concluded a number of bilateral agreements, including commercial contracts. The ministries of trade signed an intergovernmental agreement on encouragement and mutual protection of capital investments. Also, business representatives from both countries signed an agreement on the establishment of the Russian Federation-Jordan Business Council.
Accessed on 14 February
< http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11248517&PageNum=0 >

Russian oil transit tariff via Belarus raised by one-third. Interfax, 15 February 2007.
Effective from 15 February, the tariff for the transit of Russian oil via Belarus was raised by more than 30 per cent. The tariff charged to transit oil along the Unecha (Vysokoye) - Adamova Zastava route is increasing by 35 per cent to US$ 3.50 (not including VAT) for one tonne of oil, and on the Unecha (Vysokoye) - Brody route - 31.6 per cent to US $1.50 per tonne. As a result, the average tariff to transport oil through Belarus will be US$ 0.6 per tonne for 100 km.
Accessed on 19 February < http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/26.html?menu=2&id_issue=11679298 >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States signs agreement with Japan to facilitate trade in telecommunications equipment. USTR, 16 February 2007.
The United States and Japan have signed a mutual recognition agreement that will help United States telecommunications and radio equipment makers market and sell their products in Japan and expand the acceptance in Japan of determinations made by United States certification bodies. Under the agreement signed, Japan will accept the results of conformity assessment procedures performed by approved certification bodies in the United States demonstrating that telecommunications equipment meets Japan’s technical requirements.
Accessed on 20 February
< http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/ >

CHINA
China allows duty-free imports of goods for research and teaching. China View, 2 February 2007.
The Ministry of Finance has announced new regulations on the importation of duty-free articles for scientific research and teaching which cannot be made in the country. Effective from 1 February research institutes and colleges are exempted from paying import duties, value-added and consumption taxes for articles - including teaching instruments, laboratory equipments, books and newspapers - imported directly for scientific research and teaching.
Accessed on 5 February < http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-02/02/content_5688908.htm >

EUROPEAN UNION
EU to remove tariff over new pharmaceuticals. China View, 13 February 2007.
Member States of the European Union have adopted an international agreement to remove customs duties on new pharmaceuticals. Under the third revision of Pharma-GATT agreement, there will be no customs duties levied on some new pharmaceuticals and chemical intermediates used in their production between the EU and two other joining countries, the United States and Switzerland. Japan is expected to join the agreement later this year.
Accessed on 14 February < http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-02/13/content_5732639.htm >

INDIA
India waives customs duty on Nepalese goods. Zee News, 3 February 2007.
India has waived off four per cent additional customs duty on selected goods imported from Nepal. Effective from 25 January 2007, altogether 111 categories of goods manufactured in Nepal have been exempted from four per cent additional customs duty. Earlier in August 2006, 76 Nepalese items had earned customs waiver.
Accessed on 5 February
< http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=351876&sid=SAS >

Ministry of Commerce pushes for customs duty cut on cement, metals and paper. Financial Express, 16 February 2007.
The Ministry of Commerce has proposed a more liberal import and fiscal regime to ease supply pressures, as a part of the steps to rein in the rising prices. Supply side constrains driven mainly by the strong economic growth have been blamed as the main reasons for the rising prices. The ministry has proposed a review of duties on imports, especially cement, metals and paper.
Accessed on 19 February
< http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=155022 >

PAKISTAN
Round-the-clock customs operations start from 1 February 2007. The News, 1 February 2007.
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has announced that Pakistan Customs would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout Pakistan starting from 1 February 2007. Operation would be managed in three shifts and apart from Pakistan Customs, all related departments (i.e. bank branches and port departments, etc.) would also be operative. The CBR has taken this step to facilitate importers and exporters and expects to generate at least 35 per cent additional capacity regarding clearance of goods reducing the cost of doing business through out the country.
Accessed on 5 February < http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=41143 >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation temporary abolishes the import tariff rates for cashew, almond, hazelnut and sesame. LOL, 2 February 2007.
The Russian Federation has decided to tentatively abolish the tariff rates for the import of nuts such as cashew, almond, hazelnut and sesame. The import tariff rate for these types of nuts was 5 per cent earlier. The decision is motivated by the growing world prices for those types of nuts which affects the rates of the confectionary industry development in Russia. As a result of the world price growth during the first 9 months of 2006 the import of the product to the Russian Federation has decreased 18 per cent comparing to the same period of time in 2005. The cost of the imported nuts has grown nearly threefold during the same period of time.
Accessed on 5 February < http://www.lol.org.ua/eng/showart.php?id=42883 >

SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka’s complex customs laws to be bared online. Lanka Business Online, 14 February 2007.
Sri Lanka is setting up a searchable database holding all of the country’s customs regulations, related laws, taxes and other levies as well as preferential duties on goods under trade deals. The database will also include a “tax calculator” which will allow traders and businesspeople to easily compute all applicable taxes on any given good. The online database is currently run on a trial basis and is expected to go online in March. It currently contains 75 laws from Board of Investment laws to the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance in addition to numerous regulations. Users can also search tariff schedules for 6500 HS (Harmonized System) or product codes, with the database bringing up all relevant regulations, including import licensing and standards criteria.
Accessed on 15 February
< http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php? >

THAILAND
Customs amends Harmonized Customs Code. TNA English News, 18 February 2007.
The Department of Customs is amending its Harmonized Customs Code system which will delay releases of figures on imports and exports in January and February this year. The Permanent Secretary for Commerce said the amendment of the 2002 Harmonized Customs Code needed to be changed to 2007 system required by the World Customs Organization which has been enforced since 1 January. Furthermore, the Thai Customs Department will develop its e-customs technology and will adopt the use of paperless customs work, causing a delay in releasing import and export figures for the first two months.
Accessed on 19 February < http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28007 >

AFGHANISTAN
Poultry imports banned after bird flu fears. The Courier-Mail, 18 February 2007.
Afghanistan has banned poultry imports to prevent the spread of the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus. The H5N1 strain was found in poultry in at least four provinces last year, leading to the killing of thousands of birds. The ban is part of a precautionary and preventive measure. Afghanistan imports a large amount of poultry, mostly from Pakistan. The ban also applies to other countries hit by H5N1, including Indonesia, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Accessed on 20 February
< http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,21246379-5003402,00.html >

AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan bans import of Russian poultry. Baku Today, 19 February 2007.
The State Veterinary Service of the Agriculture Ministry of Azerbaijan imposed a temporary ban on the import of poultry products from the Russia Federation. The ban was imposed due to the discovery of the H5 virus near Moscow last week. Previously the ban had been imposed only for the Krasnodar oblast. Presently the same ban is also in force for Turkey.
Accessed on 20 February < http://www.bakutoday.net/view.php?d=33739 >

CHINA
China launches mid-term examination of anti-dumping measures on imported ethanol amines. People’s Daily Online, 2 February 2007.
The Ministry of Commerce announced it would begin mid-term examination of anti-dumping measures against ethanol amines imported from Japan and Taiwan Province of China. The ministry began imposing anti-dumping tax on ethanolamine imported from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan Province of China and the United States in November 2004. Companies of Japan and Taiwan Province of China have now applied for a review and the ministry decided to examine the anti-dumping measures against the two companies based on the evidences they have provided.
Accessed on 5 February < http://english.people.com.cn/200702/02/eng20070202_346909.html >

China to impose anti-dumping tax on imported potato starch. People’s Daily online, 6 February 2007.
The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced that it would begin imposing an anti-dumping tax on potato starch imported from the European Union (EU), effective from 6 February 2007. Import operators would be required to pay an anti-dumping tax of 17 to 35 per cent to Chinese customs depending on how serious the MOC judges the dumping to be. The investigation of imported potato starch began on 6 February 2006. On the basis of its preliminary investigations, temporary anti-dumping measures were introduced on 18 August 2006. Since then, the MOC’s investigations have shown that the imports have done severe damage to the domestic starch industry. The anti-dumping measures would protect the development of the domestic starch industry and raise the income of three million farming households in economically-underdeveloped regions in northeast, north, northwest and southwest China.
Accessed on 7 February
< http://english.people.com.cn/200702/06/eng20070206_347759.html >

China bans imports of British poultry. Channel News Asia, 16 February 2007.
China has become the latest country to ban imports of British poultry following an outbreak of the Asian-type H5N1 strain of bird flu. China is one of the top 20 importers of British poultry, having imported 1,964 tonnes of poultry meat and offal from the United Kingdom between January and November 2006.
Accessed on 16 February 2007
< http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/258856/1/.html >

CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES)
UN lifts beluga caviar sales ban. BBC, 5 February 2007.
The United Nations has lifted a ban on beluga caviar exports after Caspian Sea States agreed to limit catches of the fish from which it is taken. Beluga caviar is the most expensive variety of the delicacy and can cost thousands of United States dollars a kilo. Almost all trade in caviar was banned last year because the sturgeon is fast disappearing from the Caspian sea, the source of about 90 per cent of world caviar. CITES has now granted Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan permission to export 3,761 tonnes of beluga caviar in 2007. In January, CITES gave the same five countries the go-ahead to sell 96 tonnes of other varieties of caviar – 15 per cent below the level set in 2005.
Accessed on 6 February < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6333051.stm >

EUROPEAN UNION
European Commission pushes for renewal of PET anti-dumping duties. Plastic Review weekly, 14 February 2007.
The European Commission has announced plans to reimpose definitive anti-dumping duties on imports into the European Union (EU) of certain polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Taiwan Province of China. The original duties were imposed in 2000 and were to lapse, but the Polyethylene Terephthalate Committee of Plastics Europe called for their reimposition, claiming the “expiry of the measures would… result in a continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury to the EU industry.” Following an inquiry, the Commission is asking EU ministers to reimpose the duties on PET from these countries, with a viscosity of 78ml/g or higher. The proposed duties – with specific exceptions per country - would be for India €181.70/tonne, Indonesia €187.70/tonne, Malaysia €160.10/tonne, Republic of Korea €148.30/tonne, Taiwan Province of China €143.40/tonne, and Thailand €83.20/tonne.
Accessed on 15 February
< http://www.prw.com/homePBP_NADetail_UP.aspx? >

Inflation scare leads to wheat export ban. Hindustan Times, 14 February 2007.
A day after the Reserve Bank of India tightened money supply by raising, for the second time in three months, the ratio of cash reserves that banks must deposit with it, the Commerce Ministry banned the export of wheat and milk, and allowed the import of maize. The move comes as another step to try and combat soaring inflation.
Accessed on 14 February
< http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1928385,0002.htm >

Government lifts export ban on kabuli chana. Sahara Samai, 21 21 February 2007.
Bowing to pressures from growers, the Government has lifted export ban on kabuli chana (chickpeas) due to estimated high production and to ensure better returns for farmers. Production of chana (both desi and Kabuli) has been fluctuating between 40 lakh tonnes to 70 lakh tonnes annually in recent years and on estimated high production, the Centre decided to lift the export ban on it.
Accessed on 22 February
< http://www.saharasamay.com/samayhtml/articles.aspx?newsid=70589 >

JAPAN
Nations agree cut in tuna quotas. BBC, 31 January 2007.
Nations that fish Atlantic bluefin tuna have agreed on reduced quotas as part of a plan to preserve stocks that activists say are critically depleted. Japan and the European Union will both take cuts of more than 20 per cent over the next four years. A meeting in Tokyo of the group that manages bluefin tuna fishing decided to cut the overall take from 32,000 tonnes this year to 25,500 tonnes in 2010. Environmentalists had called for much steeper reductions.
Accessed on 1 February < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6317105.stm >

Japan puts trade sanctions on Islamic Republic of Iran. Al Jazeera, 16 February 2007.
Japan has decided to impose trade sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran in an effort to block the country’s nuclear development programme. The measures approved by the cabinet include freezing the financial assets of 10 entities and 12 individuals deemed to be involved in the country’s nuclear programme and bans on transfers of materials, technology and funds that could enhance its nuclear activity.
Accessed on 16 February
< http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/44377AED-0730-467C-9603-CC2D13E60085.htm >

PHILIPPINES
Philippines bans Japanese poultry. Channel News Asia, 5 February 2007
The Philippines has banned the import of live birds and poultry from Japan after reports of a bird flu outbreak there. The Philippines, together with Brunei Darussalam and Singapore are the only bird flu-free countries in Southeast Asia. Experts fear the H5N1 avian influenza virus could mutate into a form easily transmissible between humans, sparking a pandemic.
Accessed on 21 January 2007
< http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/256727/1/.html >

Philippine exporters get EC technical aid. Sun Star, 14 February 2007.
The delegation of the European Commission (EC) to the Philippines and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) have launched the second component of a programme that aims to help Philippine food exporters meet international product standards. The second component of the Trade-Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) programme, on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), involves the strengthening of inspections and enforcement measures through training and assessment. The project also aims to upgrade the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) laboratories and develop a risk assessment and management system in selected Government agencies.
Accessed on 15 February
< http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2007/02/14/bus/rp.exporters.get.ec.technical.aid.html >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation lifts ban on pork imports from United States. RIA Novosti, 1 February 2007.
Effective from 1 February 2007, the Russian Federation has lifted a ban on pork imports from the United States and cattle from some parts of the Czech Republic. Supplies will be allowed from all slaughterhouses, meat-processing companies and cold storages included on the November 2005 lists of enterprises authorized to export this class of product into the Russian Federation. Six new companies were added to the list of pork exporters. The veterinary watchdog also lifted a ban on poultry deliveries from a United States company, but warned that the supplier, suspected of inadequate salmonella control in the past, would remain under the close scrutiny of inspectors. The Russian Federation’s restrictions on United States meat imports were a major stumbling block in bilateral negotiations on the Russian Federation’s entry to the World Trade Organization.
Accessed on 1 February < http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070201/60019869.html >

Agricultural watchdog tightens control over Ukraine dairy exports. Itar-Tass, 5 February 2007.
The number of checkpoints for exports of Ukrainian dairy products to the Russian Federation has been considerably reduced on the Russian-Ukrainian border. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control (Rosselkhoznadzor) said that imports of diary products from Ukraine – cheese, butter and condensed milk – were allowed only through two checkpoints, in the Belgorod and Bryansk regions. Earlier, such checkpoints were situated along the whole borderline and were much more numerous. Rosselkhoznadzor said the decision had been taken in connection with “unlawful moves” by Ukrainian suppliers of dairy products, among them exports from enterprises not certified by Rosselkhoznadzor specialists, improperly filled veterinary documents, changes in the itinerary fixed in the documents accompanying the cargo.
Accessed on 6 February
< http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11221257&PageNum=0 >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States starts legal action against China at WTO over subsidies. International Herald Tribune, 2 February 2007.
The United States has started legal action at the World Trade Organization against a wide range of Chinese subsidies, saying that efforts to resolve the issue bilaterally had failed. The complaint alleged that China was using Government support and tax policies to bolster Chinese firms in competition against United States and other foreign companies in a wide range of industries, from steel to paper to computers. The United States Trade Representative has announced that the United States was seeking consultations with China under WTO rules. A request for consultations is the first step in what could be a lengthy process to determine whether Chinese subsidies violate WTO rules. First, the two countries must try to negotiate a solution. If those talks fail, the United States could then request a dispute settlement panel to arbitrate its subsidy complaint against China. A victory by the United States would clear the way for economic sanctions against China if China still refused to change its subsidy programme. If China succeeded, it could retain the subsidies.
Accessed on 6 February < http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/02/business/chitrade.php >

AFGHANISTAN
Setting up commission to optimize energy management in Afghanistan. ADB, 1 February 2007.
The Asian Development Bank is providing a grant of US$ 2 million to assist in the establishment of an inter-ministerial Commission for Energy (ICE) in Afghanistan. The commission will help the Government optimize the country’s energy resource use and management to meet increasing power demands. ICE will assist the Government to understand, support, design, and monitor energy development based on commercial principles. It will have oversight of energy sector policy and infrastructure investments and coordinate support from development partners.
Accessed on 1 February
< http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2007/11428 >

Online shopping gaining popularity in China. China Economic Net, 12 February 2007.
As the number of Chinese “netizens” increases rapidly, shopping online has become a part of more and more people’s daily life. C2C market is getting mature rapidly. Compared with B2B (Business to Business) and B2C (Business to Customer), C2C (Customer to Customer) appears to be more active because of more participants, a wide coverage, abundant types of products in great amounts and flexible trading patterns. It is estimated that till 2010, the registered customers in China’s C2C e-commerce market will amount to 72 million, including 27 million active customers, and the trading volume is estimated to amount to 110 billion yuan renminbi. Surveys show that the top three types of products with the largest online consumption volume are clothes and bags, IT products and digital products.
Accessed on 14 February
< http://en.ce.cn/Insight/200702/12/t20070212_10397082.shtml >

COOK ISLANDS
Remote hospitals expanding use of satellite network. Pacific Islands Magazine, 6 February 2007.
Another outer Cook Islands hospital has been connected to a growing tele-health network using satellite and Internet technology. The island Mauke in the southern group became the latest island whose hospital or health center is connected to tele-health. The national telecommunications provider is using innovative technology to bring outer islands patients access to health services already enjoyed by people on the main island, Rarotonga. Atiu, Mangaia and now Mauke have been connected using a programme similar to Internet broadband and delivered via Telecom Cook Islands satellite links. It enables doctors and nurses in the outer islands to have access to health care programmes such as MedTech which makes use of online technology to provide health assessment and management tools, an interface with laboratory results and drawing tools for anatomical references. More outer islands will be connected in the coming months.
Accessed on 6 February
< http://www.pacificislands.cc/news/2007/02/06/ >

KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan and Ukraine to create bilateral energy cooperation working group. Kazakhstan today, 5 February 2007.
Kazakhstan and Ukraine have agreed to create a bilateral working group which will work on realization of opportunities of the energy transport corridor, including the oil pipeline Odessa - Brody - Gdansk project.
Accessed on 6 February < http://eng.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=86539 >

PAKISTAN
Five more cotton fibre testing labs to be set up. The Dawn, 1 February 2007.
The Minister for Textile Industry announced that his ministry would establish five more cotton fibre testing laboratories to enhance quality of cotton. The laboratories will be established at Bhawalpur, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad and Hyderabad, in addition of existing laboratories to facilitate growers and ginners in their region and to enhance the quality of cotton. The laboratories will be equipped with state of the art high volume instruments (HVIs) which identify grade, staple length, micronaire, strength and other fiber properties of the cotton as well as accurate prediction of processing performance and product quality using empirical mill specific regression equations.
Accessed on 1 February < http://www.dawn.com/2007/02/01/ebr17.htm >

Pakistan and Azerbaijan to enhance cooperation in energy and IT. The Daily Times, 8 February 2007.
At the fourth session of Pakistan-Azerbaijan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in energy, information technology, agriculture, textile and tourism sectors and explore more opportunities for investment. They agreed to share their experiences in the construction of energy pipelines as well as exchange of relevant data and experts, which will pave way for new investment, and avenues of bilateral cooperation. Pakistan invited oil exploration and production companies from Azerbaijan to evaluate the investment/joint venture opportunities and assured that the Government would extend necessary assistance and facilitation to the interest companies.
Accessed on 8 February
< http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C02%5C08%5Cstory_8-2-2007_pg5_14 >

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
New mineral agency puts Papua New Guinea in “driver’s seat”. PIPD, 12 February 2007.
The Cabinet of Papua New Guinea has approved the establishment of a new state agency “Petromin” to look after all of the State’s equity in the mining, petroleum and gas resource sectors. Under law, the State can acquire up to a 22.5 per cent interest in petroleum development projects and up to a 30 per cent interest in mining projects.
Accessed on 14 February
< http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2007/February/02-13-10.htm >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Better terms of energy supply for processing enterprise suggested. Itar-Tass, 20 February 2007.
The President of the Russian Federation suggested that the conditions for the energy sector may be slightly tightened in order to create more favourable conditions for energy supply to processing enterprise. The statement came as response to the Ministry of Finance’s question as to how to compensate the industry for the growth of tariffs for energy. The President said that the decisions were “simple - to take a little from the energy sector and to readjust the tax system slightly in favour of the processing industries.”
Accessed on 20 February
< http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11267233&PageNum=0 >

Russian Federation to launch Saudi satellites. Al Jazeera, 12 February 2007.
The Russian Federation will launch six Saudi-made information satellites for Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2007. Five will be for telecommunications and data transfer and the sixth will be for remote sensing. The satellites will be launched from a base in Kazakhstan.
Accessed on 12 February
< http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/C449078D-50D1-429B-8718-0F08C5855D10.htm >

VIET NAM
Viet Nam signs US$ 300 million oil project deal. BusinessWeek, 30 January 2007.
Viet Nam has signed a contract to borrow US$ 300 million from a group of four banks to finance the construction of the country’s first oil refinery. The Dung Quat oil refinery located in central province of Quang Ngai – which is expected to cost a total of US$ 2.5 billion to build – is expected to become operational by early 2009. The refinery will have a processing capacity of 148,000 barrels per day, and will meet about 30 per cent to 40 per cent of Viet Nam’s expected petroleum demand.
Accessed on 31 January < http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8MVIL2G0.htm >

CHINA
Chinese President signs multi-million deals with Cameroon. Channel News Asia, 1 February 2007.
China and Cameroon have signed agreements for two loans to Cameroon worth 30 and 40 million yuan renminbi covering economic and technical projects, and a preferential loan of 350 million yuan renminbi to finance a telecommunications scheme. They also signed a draft agreement on scrapping Cameroon’s debt to China, whose amount was not revealed, and a series of health and educational accords. Cameroon has asked China to invest in Cameroon’s hydrocarbon, mineral and timber sectors and asked China to increase its quotas for imports of coffee, cotton, cocoa, bananas and other Cameroonian commodities. China’s trade with Cameroon was worth US$ 338 million in 2006 - double its value in 2005.
Accessed on 1 February
< http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/255911/1/.html >

China to restart launch of new mutual funds. GOV.cn, 8 February 2007.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has approved the launch of five new mutual funds, showing the Government’s confidence in the market. The new funds were approved by China’s securities regulator after a two-month halt amid fears of runaway investment and excessive liquidity. The CSRC has not given the exact date of the launch. A further 20 funds await approval from the regulator.
Accessed on 8 February < http://english.gov.cn/2007-02/08/content_521058.htm >

GEORGIA
Georgia Becomes 67th Member of ADB. ADB, 5 February 2007.
Effective from 2 February 2007, Georgia has become the 67th member of ADB. Georgia has subscribed to 12,081 shares of the capital stock. ADB’s authorized capital stock is 3,546,311 shares, equivalent to US$ 53.06 billion.
Accessed on 6 February
< http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2007/11440-georgia-poverty-reduction-projects/default.asp >

JAPAN
NYSE forms alliance with Japan. CNN, 31 January 2007.
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) announced an alliance that extends the NYSE’s global reach and could lead to an eventual combination of the world’s two largest financial markets. The broad, non-exclusive agreement allows the two stock markets to cooperate on joint developments such as financial products, mutual listings and technology. The agreement with the TSE gives the New York exchange an entree into the Pacific. It is also a first step toward a possible merger or acquisition between the two exchanges when the TSE becomes a public company in 2009. Under the terms of the agreement, NYSE Group and the TSE will establish working groups to discuss such things as infrastructure, technology and trading issues, as well as market data products and regulation and governance of listed companies. They also will examine ways to enable companies who are listed on only one exchange to have better access to investors from the other.
Accessed on 1 February
< http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/01/31/nyse.nikkei.ap/index.html >

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
Lao People’s Democratic Republic to open corporate bond market. Asia News Net, 1 February 2007.
The Ministry of Finance plans to set up a corporate bond market to allow entrepreneurs a further source of capital investment. The move is intended to create a new opportunity to stimulate the investment climate, to encourage more domestic and foreign investors to invest in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The ministry is currently drafting laws and regulations to control these bonds before opening the market to corporate bond trading.
Accessed on 1 February < http://www.asianewsnet.net/biz.php?aid=7654 >

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Republic of Korea decides to ease investment rules for conglomerates. Yonhap News, 6 February 2007.
The Government of the Republic of Korea has decided to ease the country’s equity investment ceiling for large conglomerates as part of efforts to stimulate the economy. The cabinet members agreed to submit a draft amendment on the country’s fair trade law to the National Assembly, raising the current 25 per cent investment cap to 40 per cent of the net worth of conglomerates affected by the equity investment ceiling rules.
Accessed on 6 February
< http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/Engnews/20070206/910000000020070206115749E2.html >

Big tax breaks for investors in provinces. The Korea Times, 7 February 2007.
As early as next year, the Government will provide a big package of tax breaks for companies that move out of the capital and its neighboring areas and create jobs in the provinces. The companies will also be rendered regulatory assistance in securing land for their facilities in provinces. The same benefits will be extended to foreign investors. These and other measures are contained in a plan to ease the population concentration in Seoul and help develop the provinces. The plan calls for a cut of up to 50 per cent in corporate taxes for a maximum of 30 years. Furthermore, province-investing conglomerates will be exempt from the rules of investment ceilings in their affiliates and other companies.
Accessed on 7 February
< http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200702/kt2007020718083111870.htm >

SINGAPORE
Singapore says to fully liberalize postal sector. Yahoo News, 5 February 2007.
Singapore plans to fully liberalize the city-State’s postal sector, allowing new players to provide domestic and international mail services. The domestic postal services sector is dominated by one company, which was listed in 2003 and is still 25 per cent owned by Singapore Telecommunications.
Accessed on 6 February < http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070205/3/2wy0s.html >

Singapore cuts corporate tax, helps low-income workers in budget. Channel News Asia</