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Bangkok, Thailand
  Trade and Investment Division (TID)  



2005 ANNUAL INDEX
e-TISNET Monthly News
(January-December)

SECTION       ISSUE ISSUE NO.

A. TRADE-RELATED INFORMATION (TR)
AFGHANISTAN
 
Afghanistan joins Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation Programme TR December 2005
 12/2005
APEC
 
APEC leaders' meeting concludes with the Busan Declaration TR December 2005
 12/2005
APEC Ministerial Meeting Joint Statement released TR December 2005
 12/2005
APEC trade ministers agree to promote trade facilitation in RTA/FTAs TR July 2005
 7/2005
APEC trade ministers endorse anti-counterfeiting and piracy initiative TR July 2005
 7/2005
ASIA-PACIFIC TRADE AGREEMENT
 
APTA agrees on lower tariff TR December 2005
 12/2005
ARMENIA
 
Normal trade relations with the U.S. granted TR February 2005
 2/2005
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
Working together to reduce losses from natural disasters in the region TR February 2005 2/2005
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)
Agreement for cooperation signed between ADB and OECD TR April 2005
4/2005
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)
15th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, Jakarta TR April 2005
4/2005
ASEAN commits to further integration TR January 2005
1/2005
ASEAN, India agree to quicken FTA talks TR November
11/2005
AUSTRALIA
Australia-China free trade agreement negotiations TR May 2005
5/2005
Australia seeks FTA with Republic of Korea TR October 2005
10/2005
FTA with the U.S. comes into force TR February 2005
2/2005
Trade talks under way between Australia and China TR June 2005
6/2005
AYEYAWADY-CHAO PHRAYA-MEKONG ECONOMIC COOPERATION STRATEGY
Second ACMECS Summit ends with agreements on expanded regional cooperation TR December 2005
12/2005
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh, China specify trade and other cooperation TR May 2005
5/2005
Chile wants to expand trade with Bangladesh TR September 2005
9/2005
BIMSTEC
BIMSTEC meet on institutional set up for accord implementation TR November 2005
1/2005
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Brunei Darussalam signs Trans-Pacific Strategic Closer Economic Partnership
trade agreement
TR September 2005

9/2005
CANADA
Ottawa to open talks with Republic of Korea TR August 2005
8/2005
CHINA
China and Gulf Cooperation Council hold negotiations for free trade and Rules of Origin TR November 2005
11/2005
China becomes world's third largest exporter TR May 2005
5/2005
China, Nigeria agree to expand economic cooperation TR May 2005
5/2005
China, Russian Federation pledge efforts to boost economic, cultural cooperation TR August 2005
8/2005
China-Russian Federation held a meeting to standardize trade order TR September 2005
9/2005
Sino-Chilean Free Trade Agreement signed TR December 2005
12/2005
Sino-Russian economic and trade ties to be boosted with increased cooperation TR October 2005
10/2005
Stabilization of export prices TR April 2005
4/2005
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Action plan for ACP sugar protocol countries TR February 2005
2/2005
Approach to EPAs’ broadened TR February 2005
2/2005
EU - China textile agreement TR July 2005
7/2005
EU proposes new aviation talks with Australia, Chile and India TR October 2005
10/2005
EU tables revised services offer in Doha round negotiations TR July 2005
7/2005
European Commission launches investigations in Chinese textiles imports TR June 2005
6/2005
New export help service for developing countries TR March 2005
3/2005
New GSP accelerated for tsunami affected countries TR March 2005
3/2005
Report on the operation of the CMO in bananas adopted TR March 2005
3/2005
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO)
Tariff reductions methods in agriculture discussed TR February 2005
2/2005
G-20
G-20 calls for end to unfair trade terms: joint declaration TR October 2005 10/2005
GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION (GMS)
GMS countries implement cross-border transport agreement TR August 2005 8/2005
Private sector on the agenda of 13th GMS Ministerial Meeting TR January 2005 1/2005
INDIA
Effectiveness of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and
MERCOSUR		 TR April 2005 4/2005
India and Indonesia seek to boost bilateral trade TR September 2005 9/2005
India for multilateral system for exchange of trade information TR December 2005 12/2005
India mulling FTA with Australia TR November 2005 11/2005
India to make revised offers to WTO on opening services sector TR July 2005 7/2005
India, Pakistan agree to improve bilateral trade TR May 2005 5/2005
India, Singapore ink pact TR August 2005 8/2005
Indian cabinet okays trade deal with Singapore to boost investment TR July 2005 7/2005
INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION
IATA e-freight to take the paper out of air cargo by 2010 TR December 2005 12/2005
IRAN (Islamic Republic of)
Iran signs first free trade agreement TR April 2005 4/2005
Islamic Republic of Iran team explores WTO negotiation expertise in China TR September 2005 9/2005
Islamic Republic of Iran, Afghanistan to hold joint trade fairs TR December 2005 12/2005
Islamic Republic of Iran, Kenya to broaden economic cooperation TR September 2005 9/2005
JAPAN
Economic framework with Canada launched TR March 2005
3/2005
Japan and Malaysia to sign free-trade agreement TR June 2005 6/2005
Japan threatens the United States of America with trade sanctions TR July 2005 7/2005
Japan-Mexico FTA comes into force TR May 2005 5/2005
LAO People's Democratic Republic
Bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. comes into force TR March 2005 3/2005
Lao People's Democratic Republic takes a step closer to WTO TR November 2005 11/2005
United States of America extends normal trade relations to Lao PDR TR January 2005 1/2005
MALAYSIA
Islamic common market a step closer TR November 2005 11/2005
MYANMAR
Islamic Republic of Iran, Myanmar stress closer investments, trade relations TR September 2005 9/2005
NEPAL
Nepal to become transit corridor for Sino-Indian trade TR December 2005 12/2005
NEW ZEALAND
Four countries agree to global trade pact TR July 2005 7/2005
New Zealand is Ready to Accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in
Southeast Asia
TR August 2005
8/2005
PAKISTAN
Pakistan and Malaysia ink early harvest agreement TR November 2005 11/2005
Pakistan planning project for better trade with Afghanistan, Central Asian Republics TR October 2005 10/2005
Pakistan pushes for FTA with Bangladesh TR October 2005 10/2005
Three more customs stations to facilitate bilateral trade with Islamic Republic of Iran,
Afghanistan
TR September 2005
9/2005
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Republic of Korea, EFTA agree to sign free trade accord TR August 2005 8/2005
Republic of Korea-ASEAN reach draft framework agreement on FTA TR June 2005 6/2005
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian authorities to crack down on pirated products TR October 2005 10/2005
Russian, European railways to improve international services TR October 2005 10/2005
SINGAPORE
Competition Act approved TR January 2005 1/2005
Singapore, Republic of Korea sign free trade agreement TR September 2005 9/2005
SOUTH ASIA FREE TRADE AREA
SAFTA breakthrough after rules of origin agreement TR October 2005 10/2005
SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION
Dhaka Declaration - Thirteenth SAARC Summit TR December 2005 12/2005
Draft of two trade accords for SAARC finalized TR November 2005 11/2005
SRI LANKA
FTA with Pakistan signed TR March 2005 3/2005
Sri Lanka Tea Board promoting untapped markets in Eastern Europe TR October 2005 10/2005
THAILAND
5th round of Thailand-United States of America trade talks ends TR November 2005 11/2005
New Zealand/ Thailand Closer Economic Partnership signed TR May 2005 5/2005
Post-FTA deficit with Australia TR April 2005 4/2005
Toward FTA with Japan: first agreement in the service sector TR April 2005 4/2005
TIMOR-LESTE
Australia and East Timor develop new ties TR August 2005 8/2005
UNCTAD
UNCTAD proposes new 'Trade Marshall Plan' for least developed countries TR July 2005 7/2005
UNITED NATIONS
Accord on vast UN-backed Asian Highway Network enters into force 4 July TR August 2005 8/2005
Kyoto Protocol comes into force TR March 2005 3/2005
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Announcement of request for bilateral textile consultations TR June 2005 6/2005
The United States of America and the Philippines meet under trade and investment
framework agreement, Philippines to lift ban on United States beef
TR September 2005
9/2005
United States of America and India establish economic focus groups to promote trade TR December 2005 12/2005
United States and Thailand concluded the fourth round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
negotiations in Great Falls, Montana
TR August 2005
8/2005
United States of America rejoins International Coffee Group TR March 2005 3/2005
VANUATU
Vanuatu ratifies pacific free trade deal TR August 2005 8/2005
VIET NAM
Amended Trade Law discussed TR January 2005 1/2005
Ho Chi Minh City Trade Centre to be built in Moscow TR August 2005 8/2005
Viet Nam concludes WTO negotiations with India TR September 2005 9/2005
Viet Nam eyes more overseas trade offices TR June 2005 6/2005
Viet Nam, Republic of Korea sign gas contract TR May 2005 5/2005
Vietnamese, Iranian businesses seek trade opportunities TR November 2005 11/2005
Vietnamese, Lao provinces to increase cooperation TR October 2005 10/2005
WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO)
New WCO framework for more secure trade TR January 2005 1/2005
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
Accession working parties established for Iran and Sao Tome and Principe TR July 2005 7/2005
Developing countries' goods trade share surges to 50-year peak TR May 2005 5/2005
Standards and Trade Development Facility boosted TR March 2005 3/2005
WTO farm talks break down on technical issue TR May 2005 5/2005

B. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS AND CHARGES (CT)
APEC
APEC agrees trade tariff formula CT July 2005 7/2005
ASEAN
ASEAN accord on customs ICT up CT October 2005 10/2005
China, ASEAN to lower industrial duties CT August 2005 8/2005
AUSTRALIA
New customs IT cargo system fails to deliver CT November 2005 11/2005
BANGLADESH
National Board of Revenue decides to slash duty on imports CT September 2005 9/2005
BHUTAN
Bhutan/ India agreement on excise returns CT May 2005 5/2005
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Brunei Darussalam, Philippine Governments renew uniform port tariffs CT September 2005 9/2005
CHINA
Beijing and Tianjin to try inter-customs clearance CT December 2005 12/2005
Catalogue of commodities subject to import and export licensing issued CT February 2005 2/2005
China announced to raise export duties on textile and clothing CT June 2005 6/2005
China edges closer to trade war with EU, United States of America over textiles CT July 2005 7/2005
China is scheduled to implement zero tariffs on all products originating from Hong Kong,
Province of China from 1 January 2006
CT August 2005
8/2005
China offers preferential tax rate on Lao People's Democratic Republic CT August 2005 8/2005
China scraps tariffs on 15 fruits from Taiwan Province of China CT September 2005 9/2005
China, ASEAN to cut tariffs in July CT July 2005 7/2005
Duty-free China toy imports to vitalize Mexican output CT April 2005 4/2005
Hong Kong products to enter China tariff free CT November 2005 11/2005
Implementation of automatic import licensing administration on iron ore CT April 2005 4/2005
Rules on Foreign Trade Barriers Investigation CT April 2005 4/2005
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the
United States of America		 CT March 2005 3/2005
Anti-Dumping duty on imports of magnesium oxide originating in China CT June 2005 6/2005
Anti-Dumping duty on stainless steel products originating in China, Indonesia,
Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam		 CT June 2005 6/2005
EU Council agreement on new controls on drugs precursors CT January 2005 1/2005
EU secures tariff agreement CT October 2005 10/2005
EU-Russia deal safeguards trade in plant products CT April 2005 4/2005
Licenses for the import of garlic CT February 2005 2/2005
New rules to monitor trade in drug precursors with third countries CT February 2005 2/2005
Release on a Commission Regulation fixing the definitive rate of refund and
the percentage of system B export licences to be issued in the fruit and
vegetables sector		 CT May 2005 5/2005
Representative prices and additional duties for the import of certain products
in the sugar sector		 CT March 2005 3/2005
Representative prices and additional import duties for molasses in the sugar sector CT February 2005 2/2005
Revision of definition of ‘originating products’ used in the scheme of
generalized preferences as applied to Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic		 CT January 2005 1/2005
Revision of definition of ‘originating products’ used in the scheme of
generalized preferences as applied to Nepal		 CT January 2005 1/2005
Strategy proposed by the Commission for simplified rules of origin CT April 2005 4/2005
Temporary tariff suspension for certain industrial, agricultural and fishery products CT February 2005 2/2005
WTO Panel upholds EU system of protection of “Geographical Indications” CT April 2005 4/2005
GEORGIA
Customs code in midst of remake CT November 2005 11/2005
Customs tax on transited cargoes to be abolished CT December 2005 12/2005
HONG KONG, CHINA
Hong Kong outward processing arrangements (OPA) textile products
excluded from mainland export duty		 CT June 2005 6/2005
INDIA
Cabinet approves accession to Kyoto convention on customs CT November 2005 11/2005
Customs clearance at doorstep for Nashik exporters CT November 2005 11/2005
Faster clearance of goods at 33 ports on cards CT October 2005 10/2005
India cuts duty on Pakistani textile CT September 2005 9/2005
India offers duty cuts for United States of America exports CT August 2005 8/2005
Kyoto Call: Customs rules to be simplified CT December 2005 12/2005
Pakistan allows duty free imports of items from India CT August 2005 8/2005
Prime Minister promises tariffs at par with ASEAN levels CT October 2005 10/2005
Tax holiday extended to export oriented units CT February 2005 2/2005
INDONESIA
Government plans to raise import tariffs on luxury cars CT August 2005 8/2005
Indonesia wants India to lower import tariffs CT September 2005 9/2005
IRAN, Islamic Republic of
Customs agreements with three countries CT January 2005 1/2005
KAZAKHSTAN
Customs officials of Kazakhstan and Russian Federation discuss joint boundary control CT November 2005 11/2005
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan establish joint customs terminal CT October 2005 10/2005
Uzbek and Kazakh leaders agree on trade facilitation CT April 2005 4/2005
MALAYSIA
Malaysia to revise car tariffs after complaints CT July 2005 7/2005
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand Customs office opened in China CT December 2005 12/2005
PAKISTAN
20 per cent duty on raw hides and skins demanded CT July 2005 7/2005
100 per cent duty exemption on 76 items from China CT July 2005 7/2005
40 per cent import duty levied on telecom equipment CT December 2005 12/2005
New customs station at Afghan border CT December 2005 12/2005
Pakistan, China to establish tax-free system CT August 2005 8/2005
Raw sugar exempted from custom duties CT February 2005 2/2005
United Arab Emirates and Pakistan discuss customs affairs draft CT October 2005 10/2005
PHILIPPINES
Customs going hi-tech CT October 2005 10/2005
Government planning to raise import duties by 1 per cent CT August 2005 8/2005
Gradual tariff reduction on cars accepted by the Philippines CT September 2005 9/2005
Philippines seeks duty-free entry of dried mango, carageenan exports to
United States of America
CT September 2005
9/2005
Philippines to slash import duties CT October 2005 10/2005
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Customs agency to enforce policies in support of inter-Korean trade CT November 2005 11/2005
Free economic zone established in Incheon Airport CT May 2005 5/2005
Republic of Korea exports customs system CT November 2005 11/2005
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Government kills certain cellulose export duties CT May 2005 5/2005
President calls for smaller import duties on unique equipment CT October 2005 10/2005
Russian Federation pledges to keep high import tariffs to protect carmakers CT August 2005 8/2005
Russian Federation suspends import duties on certain timber processing equipment CT September 2005 9/2005
Russian Federation suspends import duty on iron ore, concentrate CT May 2005 5/2005
Russia’s government cuts import duties on components for assembly of foreign cars CT April 2005 4/2005
SINGAPORE
Revision of bonded warehouse scheme CT January 2005 1/2005
Waiver of bank guarantee for oil companies CT January 2005 1/2005
SOLOMON ISLANDS
Finance Minister cuts import duties on shipping CT July 2005 7/2005
THAILAND
Customs helps ensure trade-rule compliance CT November 2005 11/2005
Customs to step fight against new range of fake goods CT December 2005 12/2005
European Union agrees to early 'GSP' benefits for shrimps CT October 2005 10/2005
Thailand and Japan cut import duties CT September 2005 9/2005
Thailand to seek tax reduction on fruits exported to China CT August 2005 8/2005
Zero per cent tax applied to 63 Vietnamese products CT November 2005 11/2005
TURKEY
United Arab Emirates and Turkey in customs cooperation talks CT October 2005 10/2005
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States of America allows duty-free imports of coco products CT August 2005 8/2005
United States of America panel votes to curb imports of China steel pipe CT November 2005 11/2005
United States of America scraps import duties on 8 Indonesian products CT August 2005 8/2005
VIET NAM
67 more Vietnamese commodities enjoy Malaysia's preferential tariff CT August 2005 8/2005
Computerizing customs formalities CT October 2005 10/2005
E-customs speeds up trade and reduces expense CT December 2005 12/2005
Government reduces tariffs on some Thai products CT May 2005 5/2005
Import duty rate on alcohol reduced CT March 2005 3/2005
Industry ministry’s proposals on cars import tax policy CT June 2005 6/2005
Rebate on the import tax on motorbikes from EU CT March 2005 3/2005
Viet Nam southern hub starts online customs clearance CT November 2005 11/2005
Viet Nam, Lao People's Democratic Republic ink deal on preferential trade tariff CT September 2005 9/2005
Viet Nam-China Customs agreement signed CT December 2005 12/2005
WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO)
Amendments to the harmonized system nomenclature CT March 2005 3/2005
WTO ministers reach agreement on tariffs issue CT June 2005 6/2005

C. NON-TARIFF MEASURES (NT)
ASIA
Switzerland extends import ban to shun bird flu NT September 2005 9/2005
BANGLADESH
EPB undertakes steps to resolve export barriers NT September 2005 9/2005
Non-tariff barriers hurdle for export to Malaysia NT April 2005 4/2005
CHINA
Abolition of existing quarantine provisions on exported wood packaging material NT March 2005 3/2005
Agreement on socks trade NT December 2005 12/2005
Anti-dumping duties on certain optical fibres originating in Japan, the Republic of
Korea and the United States of America		 NT February 2005 2/2005
Anti-dumping investigation against imports of polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT)
from Japan and Taiwan, Province of China
NT July 2005
7/2005
Anti-dumping investigation against imports of wear resistant overlay from the
United States and the European Union
NT July 2005
7/2005
China eased rigid import restrictions on Thai fruits NT April 2005 4/2005
China's exports of woven cotton shirts surges in January-February 2005 NT May 2005 5/2005
Extension of anti-dumping investigation against imports of ethylene-propylene-non-
conjugated diene rubber (EPDM) from the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea and
the United States

NT September 2005

9/2005
New import rules on auto parts and accessories NT June 2005 6/2005
New regulations on the country of origin of imports and exports NT January 2005 1/2005
Private exporters receive help in Guangdong NT July 2005 7/2005
Termination of the car import quota system NT February 2005 2/2005
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Anti-dumping duty on ring binder mechanisms originating in China NT January 2005 1/2005
Anti-dumping duty on television camera systems originating in Japan NT February 2005 2/2005
Commission launches action plan to combat counterfeiting and piracy NT November 2005 11/2005
Countervailing duties on cotton-type bed linen originating in India NT January 2005 1/2005
Definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of bicycles originating in China and Viet Nam NT August 2005 8/2005
Definitive anti-dumping measures on imports of integrated electronic compact
fluorescent lamps originating in the Philippines, Pakistan and Viet Nam
NT July 2005
7/2005
EU agrees to admit Chinese knitwear despite quotas NT September 2005 9/2005
EU Commission says bird flu in Turkey is 'very worrying' NT November 2005 11/2005
EU extends import ban on captive birds NT December 2005 12/2005
European Commission adopts regulation to clear blocked Chinese textile imports NT October 2005 10/2005
European Commission agrees to publish guidelines governing use of textiles safeguards NT May 2005 5/2005
Imports of Chinese bras, flax yarn, T-shirts into EU hit quota ceilings NT September 2005 9/2005
Initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of certain footwear with
protective toecap originating in China and India
NT August 2005
8/2005
Initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of certain footwear with
uppers of leather originating in China and Viet Nam
NT August 2005
8/2005
Initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of certain plastic sacks
and bags originating in China, Malaysia and Thailand
NT August 2005
8/2005
Preferential tariff quota for imports of raw cane sugar originating in the ACP countries NT March 2005 3/2005
Provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of granular polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
originating in China and the Russian Federation		 NT July 2005 7/2005
Return to quotas on Chinese textiles is last resort NT April 2005 4/2005
Special conditions for imports of fishery and aquaculture products originating in
the Russian Federation		 NT March 2005 3/2005
Special conditions for imports of fishery products from Hong Kong, China NT March 2005 3/2005
Surveillance systems of imports of certain footwear products originating in third countries NT March 2005 3/2005
Tariff quotas for jute and coconut-fibre products extended NT February 2005 2/2005
FIJI
Fiji, Vanuatu resolve to lift bans NT September 2005 9/2005
G-20
G-20 demands end to trade-distorting farm subsidies within 5 yrs NT April 2005 4/2005
HONG KONG, China
Ban on imports of Canadian beef suspended NT January 2005 1/2005
Licensing/certification requirements for textiles NT March 2005 3/2005
INDIA
Anti-dumping duties on lead acid batteries from Bangladesh, China, Japan
and the Republic of Korea		 NT February 2005 2/2005
Anti-dumping duty on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber NT July 2005 7/2005
Anti-dumping duty on thermal sensitive paper from Indonesia, Malaysia
and United Arab Emirates		 NT May 2005 5/2005
Compulsory sampling of all chili export consignments NT May 2005 5/2005
India asks EU to dismantle non-tariff barriers NT October 2005 10/2005
India raises base import price of palm, soy oils NT November 2005 11/2005
India ready to lift non-tariff barriers to promote trade with Pakistan NT October 2005 10/2005
India seeks EU exemption for 'traditional' medicines NT September 2005 9/2005
India, Bangladesh agree to ease non-tariff barriers NT September 2005 9/2005
Non-tariff barriers to come down NT December 2005 12/2005
Rescission of anti-dumping duty on imports of Hydroxyl Amine Sulphate from
the United States of America, Japan and the European Union		 NT May 2005 5/2005
Subsidy to boost pepper exports NT November 2005 11/2005
INDONESIA
Government officially extends rice import ban until December NT July 2005 7/2005
Government to import 200,000 tons of rice NT October 2005 10/2005
Indonesia imposes anti-dumping duties on paracetamol imports from China, United States NT December 2005 12/2005
Indonesia pledges to shun illegal timber for tsunami reconstruction. World Business
Council for Sustainable Development
NT August 2005