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AMERICAN SAMOA
Guest worker permit legislation introduced. Pacific Magazine, 26 April 2006.
The Governor of American Samoa officially introduced a guest worker permit legislation on 24 April 2007. The measure is intended to assist the territory’s canneries as well as new businesses in meeting their required workforce. According to the bill, which is now being reviewed by the Parliament, guest workers shall only be recruited from the countries in the following priority: Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau and other Pacific islands. The measure sets the specific industries in which guest worker permits are issued, namely cannery, call center or manufacturing industry.
Accessed on 26 April
< http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2007/04/26/guest-worker-permit-legislation-introduced >

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
EU offers full market access to Africa, Caribbean and Pacific regions. EU World, 15 April 2007.
The EU has proposed to remove all remaining quota and tariff limitations on access to the EU market for all African, Caribbean and Pacific regions as part of the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations. The offer covers all products, including agricultural goods like beef, dairy, cereals and all fruit and vegetables. It will apply immediately following the signing of an agreement - with a phase-in period for rice and sugar. The only exception will be South Africa where a number of globally competitive products will continue to pay import duties.
Accessed on 16 April < http://www.europaworld.org/week302/euoffers15407.htm >

EU outlines new Central Asia strategy. Welcome Europe, 24 April 2007.
EU foreign ministers discussed the main building blocks of a draft Central Asia strategy due to be adopted at the EU Summit in June, strengthening ties with five Central Asian countries. At an informal external relations Council meeting on 23 April 2007, member States decided to intensify cooperation with Central Asia on a number of areas, including human rights, trade, education, environmental issues and energy. This first-ever strategy for Central Asia is mainly directed at Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and will build on a mix of regional and bilateral approaches. Central Asia’s richness in gas and oil reserves makes the region especially attractive. The EU seeks to secure energy supplies, especially in view of its dependency on the Russian Federation, which delivers 30 per cent of its oil and 40 per cent of its gas imports.
Accessed on 25 April < http://www.welcomeurope.com/default.asp?id=1300&idnews=3838 >

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Islamic Republic of Iran and Republic of Korea to pursue joint trade. Bilaterals, 9 April 2007.
The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the agreement to create an exploratory committee aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries. The first meeting is scheduled for October in the Republic of Korea, where both sides will discuss investment-related issues, and organize a seminar on the sidelines for business leaders and investors from both countries.
Accessed on 9 April < http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=7812 >

JAPAN
Japan and Chile sign FTA. Ohmy News, 28 March 2007.
Japan has signed an FTA with Chile that will eliminate tariffs on 92 per cent of bilateral trade by value. Japan will eliminate tariffs on almost all industrial products from Chile over 10 years. Chilean copper and other metal ores – which account for more than half of its export value to Japan – have already been granted duty-free access to the Japanese market. Chile will also remove tariffs on almost all Japanese industrial products over 10 years. Among other products, Chile will scrap the 6 per cent tariff on Japanese automobiles and general machinery immediately. Among agricultural and fisheries products, the average 17.6 per cent Japanese tariff on bottled Chilean wine will be eliminated over 12 years and the 3.5 per cent Japanese tariff on Chilean salmon and trout will be abolished over 10 years. Japan will apply low tariff rates on Chilean pork and beef. The pact must receive approval from both countries’ parliaments before coming into force.
Accessed on 29 March
< http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=352763&rel_no=1 >

Japan and Thailand sign FTA. Monsters and Critics, 4 April 2007.
Japan and Thailand have signed a free trade agreement designed to eliminate tariffs on much of their bilateral trade. The agreement, signed on 3 April in Tokyo, will abolish tariffs on more than 90 per cent of trade over 10 years. The FTA is expected to eliminate or slash tariffs on Thai fruit, chicken and seafood. Japan succeeded in excluding its highly protected rice market from the agreement. The agreement, already approved by Thailand`s legislature, must also be approved by Japan’s parliament.
Accessed on 5 April
<http://news.monstersandcritics.com/business/news/article_1286769.php/Japan_Thailand_sign_FTA>

SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION (SAARC)
SAARC States urged to ensure SAFTA implementation: 30-point declaration issued. Business Recorder, 5 April 2007.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation issued a 30-point declaration on the conclusion of the Delhi summit held from 3-4 April, calling for implementation of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) as a whole in letter and spirit besides stepping up efforts for poverty alleviation and economic growth of South Asia. The declaration stresses the need of ensuring effective market access through smooth implementation of trade liberalization programmes and directs SAFTA bodies to review the progress on a regular basis.
Accessed on 5 April
< http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=546424&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate= >

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Republic of Korea and Azerbaijan agree to strengthen economic cooperation. People’s Daily online, 23 April 2007.
The Republic of Korea and Azerbaijan on 23 April signed a 10-point joint statement calling for widening practical bilateral cooperation in overall economic and commercial fields, including in energy, natural resources, construction and information technology. The statement further calls for the simplification of visa issuance procedures for visitors from each other, the signing of investment guarantee and dual tax avoidance accords and the Republic of Korea’s support of Azerbaijan’s membership of the World Trade Organization.
Accessed on 25 April < http://english.people.com.cn/200704/23/eng20070423_368992.html >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States and Republic of Korea conclude free trade agreement. USInfo, 2 April 2007.
The United States has concluded a free trade agreement with the Republic of Korea. The agreement was concluded on 1 April, the last day trade promotion authority (TPA) allowed the president to submit FTAs to Congress for an up or down vote, without amendments. Congress will have 90 days to consider the agreement before the TPA expires on 30 June 2007. The Republic of Korea is the world’s 10th-largest economy and the United States’ seventh-largest trading partner. The United States is the Republic of Korea’s third-largest market. Two-way trade in goods between the two countries carried an estimated value of US$ 72 billion in 2006. When implemented, the United States-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) would expand trade and investment flows between the two countries across a comprehensive list of economic sectors including agriculture, industrial and consumer products, automobiles and textiles.
Accessed on 5 April
< http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=April&x=20070402154022AKllennoCcM0.2038538 >

United States calls for trade consultations with China. USInfo, 9 April 2007.
The United States has asked China to address deficiencies in its protection of intellectual property and its import barriers that hamper the distribution of foreign books, music, videos and movies. The high-level discussions will take place under the WTO’s formal dispute resolution process. If the two countries do not resolve their differences within a 60-day consultation period, the United States could refer the matter to a WTO dispute settlement panel, which has the authority to recommend further action.
Accessed on 16 April
< http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=April&x=20070409171956zjsredna0.7277948 >

VIET NAM
Viet Nam and Chile begin free trade talks. Bilaterals, 31 March 2007.
Viet Nam and Chile have launched negotiations on a free trade agreement. Chile has also opened a trade office in Ho Chi Minh City, which will manage all Chilean trade promotion activities in Southeast Asia. Viet Nam is to serve as a foothold for Chilean businesses to penetrate the regional markets.
Accessed on 2 April < http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=7715 >

INDIA
All import duties on cement to go. Times of India, 4 April 2007.
The Ministry of Finance has decided to adopt the carrot and stick approach in an attempt to get local manufacturers to sell cement at Rs 190 a bag. It decided to abolish all duties on import of portland cement by doing away with the 4 per cent special additional duty of customs and the 16 per cent countervailing duty, levied in lieu of excise on local produce in an attempt to put pressure on local players to reduce prices or face competition from cheaper imports.
Accessed on 4 April
< http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India_Business/ >

India to advance zero-tariff SAFTA date. The Sunday Express, 1 April 2007.
India has decided to propose a zero tariff regime on the positive list for the least developed countries of the bloc under SAFTA by 2008. India will also cut import duties on the negative list from 45 per cent to 10 per cent. Under SAFTA, that came into effect on 1 January 2006, the zero tariff regime was to be put in place in a phased manner, with India and Pakistan implementing it in 2009, Sri Lanka in 2010 and the others by 2013.
Accessed on 2 April < http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/27188.html >

India and Republic of Korea agree on 80 per cent of tariff lines. Business Standard, 10 April 2007.
India and the Republic of Korea have concluded the sixth round of negotiations on the proposed FTA. In the previous rounds of negotiations, both countries had decided to open up 75 per cent to 80 per cent of the tariff lines for duty cuts and preferential treatment. The remaining 25 per cent tariff lines will fall under the negative list. Negotiations started in 2005 and are expected to be concluded by the end of 2007. The Republic of Korea’s interests in the Indian market are on products related to auto components, synthetic resin, as well as cell phones, while major exports from India to the Republic of Korea include items like oil seed, iron ore and cereals.
Accessed on 11 April
< http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php? >

Customs to get more teeth to check piracy. Financial Express, 24 April 2007.
With pirated and counterfeit goods estimated to have caused India a trade loss of Rs 120.08 crore in 2006, the Government is empowering the Customs Department with a new rule to prevent entry of such goods. The Central Board of Excise and Customs announced that the Ministry of Finance would shortly notify the Intellectual Property (Imported Goods) Enforcement Rules of 2007 and incorporate it into the Customs Act of 1962. This clause will enable customs authorities to seize goods that are pirated or counterfeit. Currently, customs officials are not authorized to seize pirated and counterfeit goods.
Accessed on 25 April
< http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=162025 >

JAPAN
Tri-nation customs accord reached. Japan Times, 13 April 2007.
The customs heads of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea have agreed to set up a tripartite working group to study measures to enhance the protection of intellectual property rights at borders.
Accessed on 16 April < http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20070413a7.html >

FIJI
Changes to Customs legislations approved. Fiji Live, 6 April 2007.
Fiji’s interim cabinet has approved amendments to the Customs Act and the Excise Act to ensure conformity with international trade supply chain security requirements to strengthen the safety and security of borders. The Interim Minister of Finance explained that since Fiji traded extensively with nations that had mandated strict supply chain rules, it was critical that the current supply chain arrangement in Fiji was examined and adjusted with international norms.
Accessed on 9 April < http://www.fijilive.com/news/show/news/2007/04/06/Fijilive05.html >

MALAYSIA
Customs throws the book at errant importers and their agents. Bernama, 11 April 2007.
The Royal Customs and Excise Department said that importers and their logistics agents who had been enjoying some leeway in making Customs declarations on their goods would now have to go strictly by the book. The department would also take firmer action, including suspending the licences of agents, should they run foul of the rules. The most frequent offences are failing to make complete declarations of the goods to evade paying high duties or taxes, or providing inadequate descriptions of their goods to mislead Customs authorities and smuggle some goods into the country.
Accessed on 16 April
< http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=256171 >

PAKISTAN
National Tariff Commission of Pakistan to be restructured as think-tank. Pakistan Times, 14 April 2007.
The Prime Minister has announced that the National Tariff Commission (NTC) would be restructured to work as a think-tank to provide necessary tariff advisory services to the Government. He directed the NTC to bench-mark Pakistani tariffs structure and laws in relation to other countries so as to have a better perspective of the laws and the best practices implemented throughout the world.
Accessed on 16 April < http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/04/14/top2.htm >

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Review of tariff policies underway. The National, 28 March 2007.
The Government has initiated a review of Papua New Guinea’s tariff policies. The review is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the implementation of the tariff review programme (TRP), including the costs and benefits of the programme to the economy as a whole and to the different stakeholders in the economy. It will look at the effect on promotion of downstream processing of natural resources, the effect and implications of the tariff structure resulting from the TRP, and the need (if any) for adjustments to that tariff structure.
Accessed on 29 March < http://www.thenational.com.pg/032807/business1.htm >

VIET NAM
Vietnamese and Japanese customs seek further cooperation. Nhan Dan, 30 March 2007.
Senior customs officials of Japan and Viet Nam have met in Hanoi to work out measures to further boost their cooperation. Japan has pledged to provide Viet Nam with state-of-the-art customs equipment, give technical assistance, training and to finance projects aimed at modernizing the country’s customs system. Meanwhile, Vietnamese customs officials committed themselves to creating favourable conditions for their Japanese colleagues to visit and conduct surveys on customs services at major border gates in Haiphong and Ho Chi Minh City. The two sides also expressed their hope that the customs services of Viet Nam and Japan would sign an official cooperation agreement in the near future, paving the way for a sustainable long-term cooperation.
Accessed on 2 April < http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/news/300307/domestic_viet.htm >

Viet Nam and Russian Federation work to remove tariff barriers. VietNamNet Bridge, 6 April 2007.
Vietnamese and Russian trade officials have reached several agreements to remove existing tariff barriers on Vietnamese exports to the Russian Federation. The two sides have worked on measures to expand bilateral trade ties as Viet Nam has already become a member of the WTO while the Russian Federation is quickening its process to join the organization. The countries have pledged to continue to address remaining technical problems in order to reach an overall agreement soon.
Accessed on 9 April < http://english.vietnamnet.vn/education/2007/04/681574/ >

China imposes anti-dumping duties on imported nonyl phenol. People’s Daily Online, 30 March 2007.
Effective from 29 March 2007, Chinese importers of nonyl phenol (NP) have to pay anti-dumping duties on NP imports from India and Taiwan Province of China. This follows a conclusion reached by the Ministry of Commerce that NP imports from India and Taiwan Province of China have constituted dumping and inflicted losses to local manufacturers. The duties range from 4.08 per cent to 20.38 per cent and last for five years. NP, an organic chemical, is widely used to make antioxidants in producing pesticide and paint.
Accessed on 2 April < http://english.people.com.cn/200703/30/eng20070330_362330.html >

HONG KONG, CHINA
United Kingdom poultry import ban lifted. NewsGov.hk, 13 April 2007.
Effective immediately, the Centre for Food Safety will resume processing of applications for importing British poultry and poultry products, except from the county of Suffolk. British applications were shelved after an H5N1 outbreak on a poultry farm in Suffolk in February. Restrictions for the county are not yet lifted as the centre is still monitoring the situation there.
Accessed on 16 April
< http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/070413/html/070413en05008.htm >

Japan and Hong Kong, China sign agreement to resume Japanese beef exports. The Japan Times, 26 April 2007.
Japan has formally agreed with Hong Kong, China to resume beef shipments from Japan to Hong Kong, China for the first time in over five years after they were banned because of mad cow disease. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries the first shipment to Hong Kong, China is expected around mid-May. Hong Kong, China is the third territory to resume Japanese beef imports following the United States and Canada. Hong Kong, China imposed the import ban after Japan discovered its first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in September 2001. It agreed to lift the ban on condition that Japan limits its exports to meat from cattle aged up to 30 months and removes brain, spinal cords and other specific risk materials related to BSE. Under these conditions, only two meat processors are allowed to resume shipments at the moment.
Accessed on 26 April < http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20070426a3.html >

EUROPEAN UNION
EU imposes price floor on Chinese frozen strawberries. Bloomberg, 16 April 2007.
The European Union imposed a five- year minimum price on Chinese frozen strawberries to protect production jobs mainly in Poland. The move aims to help EU producers that employ about 2,700 people as well as around 80,000 Polish farmers who depend on the berries for their livelihood. The minimum price will replace temporary EU duties of as high as 34.2 per cent introduced in October after Polish producers demanded protection. Under a minimum-price system, the EU imposes a duty when imports are sold at below the set level.
Accessed on 18 April
< http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=aOmggtDRu2EY&refer=germany >

INDIA
Government approves Rs 850 crore sugar export subsidy as production peaks. Domain B, 27 March 2007.
India has approved a Rs 850 crore relief package for sugar exports even as it lifted a ban on overseas sales in January on expectations of higher production this season. The Ministry of Agriculture said the Government would bear an expenditure of Rs 1,300 per tonne for sugar to be exported by the states which had ports and Rs 1,400 for those who were away from the coast.
Accessed on 29 March
< http://www.domain-b.com/economy/agriculture/20070327_approves.html >

JAPAN
Japan extends Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sanctions by six months. Channel news Asia, 10 April 2007.
Japan has extended sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea until October to keep the pressure on the country over its alleged abductions of Japanese nationals. In October last year, the Japanese Government barred all imports from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - including money-makers such as clams, crabs and high-end matsutake mushrooms - for six months. The Government has now decided to extend the sanctions by another six months.
Accessed on 10 April
< http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/269457/1/.html >

Japan and China sign agreement on rice. CNN, 11 April, 2007.
Japan and China have signed an agreement lifting China’s four-year ban on Japanese rice, paving the way for Japan to resume rice exports to China within the next few months. China banned imports of Japanese rice in 2003 after changing its quarantine standards, saying Japanese rice posed a danger of bringing foreign insects into China. According to the new regulations, China will only allow rice imports from selected rice-processing plants that pass inspections by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture and visiting Chinese inspectors. Japan exported only 900 tonnes of rice last year, mainly to Hong Kong, China; Singapore and Taiwan Province of China; and imported 70,000 tonnes from Australia, China, Thailand, the United States and Viet Nam under a World Trade Organization import quota.
Accessed on 16 April < http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/04/10/china.japan.rice.ap/ >

NEW ZEALAND
Apple export ban lifted but conditions frustrate growers. New Zealand Herald, 28 March 2007.
A 86-year old ban on New Zealand apples entering Australia has been formally lifted, but a set of strict conditions remains. While New Zealand welcomed the publishing of Australia’s final policy determination on the import of New Zealand apples, it said that a set of strict conditions on New Zealand apple imports remained a concern and that a WTO disputes process might have to be engaged if the new determination could not deliver “meaningful access”.
Accessed on 29 March
< http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10431191 >

PAKISTAN
Anti-dumping duty imposed on 219 Chinese exporters. The Daily Times, 31 March 2007.
The National Tariff Commission imposed a five-year definitive anti-dumping duty ranging from 14.85 per cent to 23.65 per cent on 219 Chinese exporters involved in alleged dumping of tiles in Pakistan. In cases where the definitive anti-dumping duty is lower than the amount of provisionally determined dumping margin, the difference will be refunded by the commission. The commission has informed all importers of investigated product to send their request for the refund of deferential, if any, to the Secretary of the National Tariff Commission.
Accessed on 2 April
< http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C03%5C31%5Cstory_31-3-2007_pg5_10 >

SOLOMON ISLANDS
Solomon Islands lift year-old ban on sea cucumber. Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center, 23 April 2007.
In a bid to alleviate the plight of the disaster-stricken communities of the Western and Choiseul provinces, the Government of Solomon Islands has announced that it has lifted the ban on exports of beche-de mer (sea cucumber). The ban was imposed last year but has now been lifted as a result of a cabinet endorsement made in the light of the calamities affecting the regions. With the lifting of the ban, all marketable species of the edible marine resource can now be harvested for export.
Accessed on 25 April < http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2007/April/04-24-05.htm >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States imposes countervailing duties on glossy paper from China. USInfo, 4 April 2007.
The United States has made a preliminary decision to impose countervailing duties on China’s producers and exporters of glossy paper. The decision alters a 23-year-old policy of not applying countervailing duties, or extra tariffs, to non-market economy countries and reflects China’s economic development. United States imports of glossy, or coated free sheet paper from China increased 177 per cent between 2005 and 2006 and were valued at an estimated US$ 224 million in 2006. The preliminary decision follows a 2006 complaint from an American corporation that China’s subsidies, in the form of tax breaks, debt forgiveness or low-cost loans to several of its companies, were unfair. The Department of Commerce also has made preliminary decisions to apply countervailing duties to glossy paper products from companies in Indonesia and the Republic of Korea.
Accessed on 5 April
< http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=April&x=20070404114215zjsredna0.464657 >

United States and India trade motorcycles for mangoes. Bilaterals, 15 April 2007.
Indian mangoes will hit United States shelves for the first time in 18 years, while Harley Davidson motorcycles will soon be cruising India’s roads. The United States banned mangoes from India 18 years ago over concerns that Indian farmers used too many pesticides. Now Indian farmers will instead irradiate the fruit to kill any pests, making the mangoes fit for consumption in the eyes of United States agriculture officials. In return, the way has been cleared for Harley Davidson to enter the Indian market - one the world’s largest for motorbikes. Their entry had been hampered by stringent emissions standards and tariffs of more than 90 per cent.
Accessed on 16 April < http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=7884 >

VIET NAM
Argentina slaps anti-dumping duties on Viet Nam spokes. Thanh Nien News, 5 April 2007.
Argentina has announced that Vietnamese exports of spokes to Argentina will suffer an anti-dumping duty of 81 per cent. In its preliminary decision, the Argentine Ministry of Economy, Public Works and Services also imposed an anti-dumping duty of 76 per cent on Indonesian spokes. Argentina launched an investigation in December 2005 after local companies filed a petition saying bicycle and motorbike spokes from Indonesia, Malaysia and Viet Nam were sold at below-market prices.
Accessed on 9 April < http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/?catid=2&newsid=26804 >

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
WTO sets up panel on EU-India dispute. The Dawn, 25 April 2007.
The World Trade Organization has agreed to take up the European Union’s complaint on Indian import duties on wines and spirits. A meeting of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body decided to set up a panel to examine and rule on the dispute following a second request from the EU. The EU is challenging combined duties and taxes that range from 252 to 550 per cent on spirits imported into one of the world’s fastest growing markets, and from 177 to 264 per cent on wine imported into India.
Accessed on 25 April < http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/25/ebr14.htm >

ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)
APEC economies to reduce aviation greenhouse emissions. APEC, 30 March 2007. APEC Transport Ministers have announced that the 21 APEC economies, which represent more than a third of the world's population, have agreed to work cooperatively on practical measures to reduce aviation greenhouse gas emissions. The APEC economies also agreed to continue to actively work at increasing the take up of biofuels as a means of dealing with emissions in their land transport industries and agreed on further work to progress this initiative. Accessed on 2 April
< http://www.apecsec.org.sg/apec/news___media/media_releases/ >

CHINA
Polluter enterprises ordered to disclose environment info. CRI, 25 April 2007.
According to a draft measure issued by the China’s environment watchdog, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), China’s environmental departments and polluters will have to publicize information regarding environmental degradation and pollution. Effective from 1 May 2008, environmental departments at all levels would be required to make public 17 categories of environmental information including laws, regulations, policies and standards regarding environmental protection. Companies or factories exceeding pollution levels and whose facilities are not up to environmental standards would have to report this information.
Accessed on 26 April < http://english.cri.cn/2946/2007/04/25/1221@220484.htm >

China to surpass United States emissions this year. WBCSD, 24 April 2007.
China’s rapid economic growth will propel the country ahead of the United States as the world’s top emitter of greenhouse gases this year, far earlier than previously predicted, according to the International Energy Agency. Unchecked, China’s emissions are expected to double that of all the members of the OECD.
Accessed on 26 April
< http://www.wbcsd.org/Plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?DocTypeId=32 >

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
Lawmakers push nuke power plant. Saipan Tribune, 16 April 2007.
A proposal to consider nuclear energy for the islands gained ground in the Legislature on 13 April 2007. A group of lawmakers introduced a resolution asking the United States Department of Energy as well as nuclear power generation manufacturers to assist the Northern Mariana Islands in exploring the possibility of using safe and compact nuclear power generators in the islands. The resolution also invites a number of companies and manufacturers to visit the islands and present their plans of action.
Accessed on 16 April < http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=67510&cat=1 >

PHILIPPINES
Plans for WiMax rollout in Philippines. Wireless IQ, 11 April 2007.
A large international Internet communications service provider has committed to a major investment and expansion plan for its Philippines-based arm. The company will invest over US$ 12 million in building a wireless broadband infrastructure, initially in the Greater Metro-Manila area. This will be the first rollout of a WiMax infrastructure in the Philippines. The plan includes multiple wireless technologies to support its core business, including leased lines and broadband Internet access and other IP-based services mainly for corporate customers.
Accessed on 16 April < http://www.wirelessiq.com/content/topstories/1908.html >

UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan invites India for gas exploration. Tehran Times, 16 April 2007.
Gas-rich Uzbekistan has invited the Gas Authority of India (GAIL) for exploration activities. While GAIL has identified four blocks for gas exploration, India has also offered to help establish a training institute in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent to offer technical know-how in gas technology.
Accessed on 16 April
< http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=4/16/2007&Cat=9&Num=7>

VIET NAM
Ministry sets new 2010 agriculture targets. Viet Nam News Agency, 10 April 2007.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has set new development targets for the agriculture sector in the Mekong river delta. By 2010, there should be 3.8 million hectares of rice paddies in the region, producing 5.2 tonnes of rice per hectare. In total, farmers would produce about 19 million tonnes of rice every year to meet growing domestic and foreign demands. Currently, farmers get 20 million dong for every hectare of land or fisheries they own annually. To reach the ministry’s goal for the region, production yields would have to increase by 13 million dong in just three years. To meet the targets, the ministry is asking the region’s People’s Committees to re-think their production strategy. Officials are suggesting farmers only plant two crops of rice and a third crop of vegetables, instead of three, and invest in high quality rice species that are resistant to common diseases and insects. The Delta is made up of 12 provinces that account for 12 per cent of Viet Nam’s total land mass.
Accessed on 11 April
< http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=01AGR100407 >

ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)
ASEAN pushing ahead with multilateral currency deals. Reuters, 4 April 2007.
Finance officials from the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations recommended to push ahead the plans to broaden the Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI). The CMI was set up seven years ago as a scheme to mobilize funds quickly to fight off any speculative attacks on the region’s currencies, such as those that occurred in the 1997/1998 Asian financial crisis. It has culminated so far in bilateral swap deals between 13 central banks worth about US$ 80 billion. The officials also discussed plans to set up a mechanism to finance infrastructure that would use the heavy inflows of capital to the region, including bond issues or a special fund. The CMI and the infrastructure proposals will be presented to ASEAN finance ministers, plus their counterparts from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea in May 2007.
Accessed on 5 April
< http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx? >

China postal group to set up insurance company. CRI, 25 April 2007.
The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) said that a postal group planed to set up an insurance company which would be the country’s first insurer with sole investment from the postal sector. CIRC is currently dealing with the application submitted by the group. The company would be set up by the group and its plentiful subsidiaries across the country, and would provide insurance services involving relatively small amount of money.
Accessed on 25 April < http://english.cri.cn/2946/2007/04/25/198@220055.htm >

ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (ECO)
Cooperation among ECO bourses to be promoted. Daily Times, 13 April 2007.
The heads of privatization administrations of ECO member countries have decided to establish a task force, comprising the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, ECO Secretariat as well as any other volunteer member States to study how to develop the cooperation among the stock exchanges of the member States. The task force will meet for the first time in October 2007 in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Accessed on 16 April
< http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C04%5C13%5Cstory_13-4-2007_pg5_13 >

INDONESIA
Indonesian Parliament passes new investment bill. Monsters and Critics, 30 March 2007.
Indonesia’s Parliament has passed a new investment bill as part of an effort to improve the investment climate to attract foreign investors to the country. The new bill – which was endorsed by the House of Representatives and has to be signed by the President to become law – offers a host of incentives such as tax breaks, duty cuts and land access for investment in several sectors, including mining and energy. The new bill will replace the current investment law, which was enacted in 1967.
Accessed on 2 April
< http://news.monstersandcritics.com/business/news/article_1284732.php >

MALAYSIA
Malaysian Securities Commission signs landmark pact on Islamic investment products. The Star, 28 March 2007.
The Securities Commission (SC) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) have signed a landmark agreement that would allow Islamic investment products to be marketed and sold in each other’s country. The agreement, which is the first of its kind for Islamic investment products and the first that would see foreign unit trusts being sold directly to Malaysians, would allow Malaysian companies and Dubai-registered companies to sell Islamic investment products between the countries with minimal regulatory intervention. Under the agreement, Malaysian Islamic investment products such as unit trusts, real estate investment trusts (REITs), closed-end funds or exchange traded funds would be automatically approved by the DFSA to be marketed and sold in the Gulf country, thus opening a new market for Malaysian unit trust companies to tap the oil-rich Gulf region. Likewise, similar products manufactured in Dubai and approved by the DFSA would be marketed and sold through agents such as unit trust companies or other financial institutions in Malaysia.
Accessed on 30 March
< http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/3/28/business/17275465&sec=business >

KAZAKHSTAN
ADB supporting development of securitization markets in Kazakhstan. ADB, 13 April 2007.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a US$ 100 million credit guarantee to securitize the diversified payment rights of one of Kazakhstan’s largest commercial banks. The diversified payment rights arise as a result of the bank’s role as financial intermediary between foreign payers that send funds to the bank’s clients in Kazakhstan and involve transactions such as export related payments, foreign direct investments, personal or workers’ remittances. Although the concept of diversified payment rights securitization is not entirely new to Kazakhstan, there have been few issues so far. The credit guarantee from ADB is expected to facilitate the development of a full-scale securitization market in Kazakhstan, and to have spillover effects elsewhere in the region.
Accessed on 16 April
< http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2007/11748-kazakhstan-markets-developments/default.asp >

SOLOMON ISLANDS
Australian financial institution approves first Solomon Islands microfinance loan. Pacific Magazine, 16 April 2007.
An Australian financial institution recently introduced a micro-finance scheme through its mobile banking operation that allows rural savers to access small loans to purchase household items such as solar kits, stoves, pay for school fees and fund village business ventures.
Accessed on 16 April
< http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2007/04/16/anz-approves-first-solomons-microfinance-loan >

THAILAND
Thailand threatens jail for foreign investment violations. Forbes, 10 April 2007.
Violators of Thailand’s new foreign investment law could face up to five years in prison, under a revised version of the proposed amendments approved by the cabinet. The changes, originally proposed in January, would limit foreigners to holding not more than 49 per cent of the shares or voting rights in Thai companies. The original proposal would have punished violators with only a fine of up to 100,000 baht, but the revised version raised the fine five-fold and also threatens to imprison violators for five years. The latest draft still needs approval from the Parliament before taking effect.
Accessed on 11 April
< http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/04/10/afx3596557.html >

VIET NAM
Government to repeal more sub-licences. Viet Nam Net, 9 April 2007.
The Prime Minister has instructed the Government Office to combine with ministries and agencies to check and correct the system of licences to create a more open and transparent investment climate. In early February 2007, the working group on the implementation of the enterprise law and investment law proposed that the Prime Minister repeal 33 kinds of licences and nine sub-licences. The Government Office said that the list of sub-licences to be repealed would be made public soon. The recent check over 300 types of sub-licences carried out by the working group shows that sub-licences still exist in various forms, causing trouble for enterprises. On average Viet Nam has a new sub-licence each week under the names of certificate, decision, registration document, card, etc.
Accessed on 11 April < http://english.vietnamnet.vn/biz/2007/04/682604/ >

Vinacomin launches new financing arm. Viet Nam News Agency, 10 April 2007.
State-owned Viet Nam National Coal Minerals Industries Group (Vinacomin) has officially opened its new subsidiary Vinacomin Finance Company (Vinacominfc). Vinacominfc has 300 billion dong in chartered capital and will focus on mobilizing cash through issuing promissory notes, bonds and other debt certificates. It will also receive deposits, borrow from foreign and local institutes, and receive entrusted capital from the Government, private organizations and individuals. The money will go toward funding projects and purchasing securities.
Accessed on 11 April
< http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=03BUS100407 >

Viet Nam to ease rules on bank stakes. International Herald Tribune, 22 April 2007.
Viet Nam is to raise the ceiling on the stake that a strategic, non-bank foreign investor can have in a domestic bank to 15 per cent from 10 per cent. The ownership limit for a foreign bank in a Vietnamese bank remains unchanged at 10 per cent and the total foreign ownership limit in a domestic bank will also remain at 30 per cent. In exceptional cases, the Government could allow a strategic, non-bank foreign investor to own up to 20 per cent of a Vietnamese bank if proposed by the State Bank of Viet Nam, the central bank.
Accessed on 26 April < http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/22/news/dong.php >

Read the full story from Itar-Tass
< http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11466995&PageNum=0 >
Accessed on 25 April 2007

… development aid from OECD countries fell 5.1 per cent in 2006?
The 22 member countries of the OECD Development Assistance Committee, the world’s major donors, provided US$ 103.9 billion in aid in 2006, down by 5.1 per cent from 2005. The only countries to reach or exceed the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of GNI were Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

Read the full story from OECD
< http://www.oecd.org/document/17/0,2340,en_2649_201185_38341265_1_1_1_1,00.html
Accessed on 5 April

…major clothing labels criticize Cambodian labour violence?
Several international clothing manufacturers have demanded Cambodia to investigate the recent murder of a top labour leader, saying swift justice was key to their continued presence in the country’s key garment sector. Cambodia’s garment sector, which accounts for some 80 per cent of the country’s export earnings, has been plagued by increasing clashes between factory management and labour unions.

Read the full story from Channel News Online
< http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/272394/1/.html >
Accessed on 26 April

… Shanghai lifts ban on street vendors?
After years of being shunned, street vendors in Shanghai have finally won some support, with the city agreeing to lift its ban on them.

Read the full story from the China Daily
< http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-04/02/content_841166.htm >
Accessed on 2 April 2007

… the EU tops world anti-dumping charts?
The EU last year launched the world’s highest number of ‘anti-dumping’ investigations, aimed at protecting producers against low-priced imports, most of which came from China.

Read the full story from EurActiv
< http://www.euractiv.com/en/trade/eu-tops-world-anti-dumping-charts/article-163079 >
Accessed on 16 April 2007

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