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EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Launch of trade negotiations with the Pacific region. EU Trade Issues, 8 September 2004
On 10 September, the EU launched negotiations for an Economic and Partnership Agreement (EPA) with 14 Pacific countries. The negotiations were aimed at promoting trade and development by concluding a region- to-region agreement. The Pacific ACP countries involved in these negotiations with the EU are those organized around the regional framework of the Pacific Forum. The member countries are Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Accessed on 15 September 2004 < http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/acp/pr080904_en.htm >

INDIA
FTA protocol with Thailand signed. Asia Business Daily, 31 August 2004
On 31 August 2004, India and Thailand sign FTA protocol to amend the framework agreement for establishing a Free Trade Area by 2010. The framework agreement came into effect on 1 September 2004 with an Early Harvest Scheme. Under the Early Harvest Scheme, the two countries will phase out tariffs on 82 items in three phases by 1 September 2006. Tariffs were brought down to 50 per cent on 1 September 2004 and will be reduced by 75 per cent in the subsequent years.
Accessed on 3 September 2004 < http://www.asiabusinessdaily.com/ >

New trade promotion strategy unveiled. World Bank Press Review, 1 September 2004
On 31 August 2004, the Government of India announced a detailed trade promotion strategy which would simplify procedures and reduce transactions costs for exporters as well as facilitate the import of capital goods. Most of the new incentives are aimed at boosting exports from rural and small-town areas by supporting small-scale industry exports through measures such as waiving duty on the import of capital goods for agricultural producers.
Accessed on 8 September
< http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,date:09-01-2004~menuPK:278083~pagePK:34392~piPK:34427~theSitePK:4607,00.html >

PACIFIC REGION
New regional tuna association formed. Forum Secretariat, 17 September 2004
Tuna fishing operators from the private sector in the Pacific region have formed a new regional body to provide a stronger voice on tuna issues. The association’s focus will be to involve the national and regional organizations to include the private sector fishing industry in any discussions on tuna policies and programmes. The organization will also encourage its members to work more closely on the needs of the commercial fishing sector.
Accessed on 22 September < http://www.forumsec.org.fj/news/2004/September/Sept_10.htm >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (U.S.)
The U.S. to rejoin the International Coffee Organization. ICO Pres Release (PR 264/04), 15 September 2004
On 15 September 2004, the U.S. Government formally announced its intent to rejoin the International Coffee Organization (ICO). The ICO has welcomed the decision stating that the presence of the U.S. will reinforce the new objectives of the organization such as promoting sustainability in coffee, sponsorship of coffee development projects, promotion of coffee consumption and ensuring the participation of a wide range of stakeholders in efforts to assist the world coffee economy.
Accessed on 22 September 2004 < http://www.ico.org/electdocs/archives/cy2003-04/English/pr/pr264.pdf >

VIET NAM
BTA agreement with Israel signed. Asemconnect Viet Nam, 30 August 2004
On 25 August 2004, Viet Nam and Israel signed a bilateral trade agreement aimed at creating a favorable legal framework for enterprises of both countries to increase exports. Vietnam’s major exported items to Israel are tea; coffee; rice; footwear; sea food; textiles and garments; electronic products; fruit and vegetables; fine arts and handicrafts; cashew nuts; pepper; cinnamon; chemical products; fibers, etc. Major items imported from Israel include pharmaceutical products; material plastics; electronic products; machinery and equipment; fertilizer; steel and iron, etc.
Accessed on 8 September 2004 < http://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/asemvn/asps/news.asp?idnews=6086&tuan=35 >

Representative prices and additional duties for the import of certain products in the sugar sector. Official Journal of the European Union, 14 September 2004
Effective from 15 September 2004, the EU approved commission regulation No. 1605/2004 of 14 September 2004 amending the representative prices and additional duties for the import of certain products in the sugar sector for the 2004/2005 marketing year
Accessed on < http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_292/l_29220040915en00170018.pdf >

VIET NAM
Tariffs on steel imports cut. U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, 31 August 2004
On 31 August 2004, the Government of Viet Nam announced a rebate on import taxes on steel and steel ingot. Under the new measure, tax rates on imported finished products and steel ingot will drop from the current 15-20 per cent and 5-10 per cent to 10 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. The tax cuts are aimed at lowering the price of steel products in the local market which in July 2004 witnessed an increase of around Viet Nam Dong 100,000 per tonne.
Accessed on 7 September 2004 < http://www.us-asean.org/headlines.asp >

First World Bank information centres in Southern Viet Nam. World Bank Press Release, 6 September 2004
On 6 September 2004, the first two World Bank Public Information Corners (PICs) in the south of Viet Nam were launched in Can Tho City, the largest city in the Mekong Delta. Located at the Can Tho City Library and the Can Tho University, these corners mark the start of the World Bank's program to share knowledge and provide access to a source of information on various topics of development. Information corners will connect local communities to global development knowledge and assist them in making good choices for their community's progress.
Accessed on 21 September 2004 < http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/ >

Tax rebate on import of integrated circuit products terminated. Hong Kong (China) Trade and Investment Department, 14 September 2004
On 31 August 2004, the Government of China promulgated the ‘Notice on cessation of tax rebate policy on import of integrated circuit products which are designed in but manufactured outside China’. With effect from 1 October 2004, integrated circuit products listed in the referred Notice will be subject to 17 per cent import value-added tax as required by the Law.
Accessed on 21 September 2004 <http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/asia/2004/ci2262004.html>

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Anti-dumping and countervailing duties on graphite electrode systems originating in India. Official Journal of the European Union, 18 September 2004
Effective from 19 September 2004, the EU issued Council Regulations (EC) No. 1629/2004 and No. 1628/2004 of 13 September 2004 imposing definitive anti-dumping and countervailing duties respectively, on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in India.
Accessed on 23 September 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_295/l_29520040918en00100014.pdf >
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_295/l_29520040918en00040009.pdf >

Operations to check conformity to the marketing standards applicable to certain fresh fruit carried out in New Zealand prior to import into the EU. Official Journal of the European Union, 1 September 2004
On 1 September 2004, the EU published commission regulation (EC) No. 1557/2004 of 1 September 2004 approving operations to check conformity to the marketing standards applicable to apples, pears and kiwi fruit carried out by New Zealand prior to import into the EU. The Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Accessed on 15 September 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_283/l_28320040902en00030006.pdf >

Quantitative limits for the import of textile products from Viet Nam. Official Journal of the European Union, 18 September 2004
Effective from 19 September 2004, the EU issued Council Regulation (EC) No. 1627/2004 of 13 September 2004 amending Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 on common rules for imports, establishing quantitative limits for 2004 for the import of certain textile products from Viet Nam.
Accessed on 22 September 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_295/l_29520040918en00010003.pdf >

Rules of origin of framework agreement with Thailand. India Central Board of Excise and Customs, 31 August 2004
Effective form 1 September 2004, the Government of India issued Customs Notification No.101/2004 with the 'Interim Rules of Origin' for determining the origin of products eligible for the preferential tariff concessions for the Early Harvest Scheme pursuant to the Framework Agreement between India and the Thailand.
Accessed on 8 September 2004 < http://www.cbec.gov.in/cae/customs/cs-act/notifications/notfns-2k4/spr1.doc >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Trade in animal products with EU continues. EU Trade News, 2 September 2004
On 2 September 2004, the European Union (EU) announced an agreement with the Russian Federation on uniform veterinary trade certificates, allowing EU exports of live animals and animal products to continue from 1 October 2004. The Russian Federation had blocked all such exports on 1 June 2004 but had lifted this ban until 1 October 2004 to allow discussions to take place. Under the agreement, the Russian Federation will implement a set of uniform veterinary certificates to be used by all EU member states exporting to the Russian market. In addition, the Russian Federation has accepted the principle of “regionalization”, so that an animal disease outbreak in a part of a member state of the EU will not block exports from the whole of that country nor from the rest of the EU.
Accessed on 9 September 2004 < http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/russia/pr020904_en.htm >

THAILAND
Anti-dumping duty on steel extended for another five years. Thailand Board of Investment, 16 September 1004
Effective from 19 September 2004, the Government of Thailand reinstated anti-dumping duties on steel imports from 14 countries, which will remain effective for five years.
Accessed on 21 September 2004 < http://www.boi.go.th/english/newsuse/newsuse.html>

CHINA
Energy efficiency label system ready in 2005. Hong Kong Trade Development Council, 4 September 2004
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) have recently jointly promulgated a new set of Measures for the Management of Energy Efficiency Labels, which will become effective on 1 March 2005 and will apply first to refrigerators. Under the new measures, energy efficiency labels are information labels on the product or its packaging which provide users and consumers with the necessary information for making purchase decisions, so that they can choose energy-efficient products.
Accessed on 16 September 2004 < http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/cba-e0409news3.htm >

Business net with Singapore launched. China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, 9 September 2004
On 9 September 2004, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and Singapore Business Federation (SBF) jointly launched the Singapore-China Business Net < www.sg-cn.net >. The net is based on the established CCPIT Net, aiming at providing an interactive information exchange and cooperation platform for both Chinese and Singaporean enterprises. Companies from both countries can post trade opportunities freely under the management of the Chambers of Commerce in their home countries respectively. The net is the second of its kind for CCPIT after the launch of the UK-China Business Net on 10 May of this year.
Accessed on 22 September 2004
< http://www.ccpit.org/servlet/infosystem.news.ServletNewsFrontEn?actionType=view&id=17876 >

COFFEE COMMUNITY
Common code for the coffee community. World Bank Press Review, 13 September 2004
On 10 September 2004, some of the world's biggest coffee companies announced a voluntary code to improve conditions and environmental standards for coffee workers and growers in producer countries. Called the Common Code for the Coffee Community, the initiative aims to help poor producers by creating a market for coffee that has been produced without banned pesticides or any slave, forced or child labor, in places where trade unions are permitted, working conditions are fair and producers are allowed to sell their coffee freely. Coffee produced this way will be certified under the code. Producers involved include exporters from Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Indonesia, Kenya and Viet Nam.
Accessed on 22 September 2004
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,date:09-13-2004~menuPK:278083~pagePK:34392~piPK:34427~theSitePK:4607,00.html#Story5

INDIA
New scheme to boost agricultural exports. Asia Business Daily, 1 September 2004
On 31 August 2004, the Government of India announced a plan to promote exports of the agricultural sector through a new scheme called Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana. Under this scheme special focus will be on the exports of fruits, vegetables, flowers, minor forest produce and their value-added products. Indian agriculture accounts for 22 per cent of GDP besides providing livelihood to 58 per cent of country’s population.
Accessed on 9 September 2004 < http://www.asiabusinessdaily.com/ >

TIMOR LESTE
UNIDO launches two projects to assist young entrepreneurs. UNIDO News, 13 September 2004
On 14 and 15 September 2004, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO visited Timor Leste to launch two UNIDO projects as the beginning of a partnership between the UN specialized agency and the country. The projects have a combined budget of US$ 970,000 and aimed to strengthen young entrepreneurs and bamboo/rattan based industrial technologies.
Accessed on 20 September < http://www.unido.org/file-storage/download/?file%5fid=27247>

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (U.S.)
New tools for SMEs to access China's market. U.S. International Trade Administration, 14 September 2004
On 14 September 2004, the Government of the U.S. unveiled new tools to help U.S. companies expand exports to China's market. The China Business Information Center, American Trade Centers and the Global Supply Chain Initiative are the new support services and mechanisms that have been set up. According to U.S. Commerce Department trade statistics, through June 2004, U.S. exports to China have grown 36 per cent with respect to the same period last year, making China one of the fastest-growing U.S. export markets, and the sixth-largest U.S. export market overall.
Accessed on 20 September 2004 < http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/PressReleases/0904/chinabic_0914.html >

U.S. joins SEED initiative. The Washington File, 7 September 2004
On 7 September 2004, the Government of the U.S. announced that it has jointed an international public-private partnership to aid entrepreneurs in poor countries develop local poverty-reduction strategies. The Supporting Entrepreneurs for Environment and Development (SEED) initiative, launched at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, links large and small entrepreneurs from all parts of the world to help communities in developing countries improve the quality of their citizens' lives. The selected partnerships will be featured online at < www.seedinit.org >
Accessed on 15 September 2004
< http://lists.state.gov/SCRIPTS/WA-USIAINFO.EXE?A2=ind0409a&L=WF-EASIA&D=0&P=3305 >

AFRICA, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC REGION (ACP)
Establishment of an ACP-EU Water Facility. Official Journal of the European Union, 10 September 2004
On 10 September 2004, the Council of Ministers of the European Union (EU) published Decision no 1/2004 of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers of 6 May 2004 on the use of the reserve of the long-term development envelope as well as resources from the Investment Facility of the ninth European Development Fund for the establishment of an ACP-EU Water Facility. According to the Decision, an amount of EUR 226 million shall be transferred to the intra-ACP allocation under the envelope for regional cooperation and integration, and used for the establishment of an ACP-EU Water Facility. Together with an amount of EUR 24 million already available under intra-ACP cooperation, a total amount of EUR 250 million will thus be made available for the first installment of the ACP-EU Water Facility.
Accessed on 14 September 2004 < http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_289/l_28920040910en00680069.pdf >

INDIA
Investment restrictions for Sri Lankan citizens lifted. Reserve Bank of India, 13 September 2004
On 13 September 2004, the Government of India announced lifted the restriction imposed on investment in Indian companies by Sri Lankan citizens. Accordingly, persons resident outside India (other than a citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan) including now citizens of Sri Lanka would be eligible to purchase shares or convertible debentures of an Indian company under foreign direct investment scheme subject to specified terms and conditions.
Accessed on 20 September 2004 <http://www.rbi.org.in/index.dll/ >

PAKISTAN
SME bank obtains commercial license. Pakistan Business Recorder, 19 September 2004
The State Bank of Pakistan has issued a commercial banking license to the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Bank Limited. The bank is expected to commence commercial banking operations by the end of 2004. Since its inception in 2002, the SME Bank has been operating as a development finance institution for the SME sector offering limited financial facilities.
Accessed on 21 September 2004
< http://www.brecorder.com/story.php?id=190300&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate=>

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (U.S.)
Promotion of partnerships for sustainable development. OPIC, 8 September 2004
On 8 September 2004, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Department of Energy signed an agreement to promote investment in cleaner, more efficient energy technologies in emerging markets throughout the world. Under this agreement, both agencies will work to create an Efficient Energy and Renewables Program focused on innovative financing and creative partnerships that will lead to environmentally-sound economic growth in developing countries throughout the world. More specifically, the Memorandum of Understanding signed advances two U.S. energy initiatives, the U.S. Clean Energy Initiative (CEI) and the Clean Energy Technology Export Initiative (CETE).
Accessed on 22 September 2004 < http://www.opic.gov/PressReleases/2004/4-35.htm >

VIET NAM
Investment climate satisfactory for Korean investors. Asemconnect Viet Nam, 23 August 2004
The results of a survey of 226 investment companies from the Republic of Korea show that a majority of investors operating in Viet Nam are satisfied with local investment opportunities and future prospects. Some 92.6 per cent of investors from the Republic of Korea expressed satisfaction with investment in Viet Nam. About 85 per cent of investors consider capable human resources as the biggest advantage of Viet Nam. However, investors also highlighted difficulties and hindrances such as poor information provision, an incomplete legal framework, lack of transparency and complicated administrative procedures.
Accessed on 20 September 2004 <http://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/asemvn/asps/news.asp?idnews=6098&tuan=36>

Simpler tax refund process for companies. Asemconnect Viet Nam, 16 August 2004
The Government of Viet Nam has issued Decision 1209 in an attempt to improve the management of the tax collection process. Under the new regulation, companies will be informed of the outcome of their tax refund applications in 15 days. The process will be even shorter for cases involving official development assistance funds. The decision states that enterprises will be informed if they qualify for a tax refund within five working days of the provincial tax departments receiving their application and relevant documents. The documents will then be submitted for approval of the leaders of provincial tax departments. After the tax refund application arrives, it should now take no more than two days to process while analysis, calculation and categorization of the tax refund dossiers will take no more than 10 working days.
Accessed on 22 September 2004 <http://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/asemvn/asps/news.asp?idnews=6064&tuan=33>

Read the full story from Public Sector and Technology Management
http://www.pstm.net/article/index.php?articleid=311
Accessed on 18 September 2004

… Japan's trade with China reached record level in the first half of 2004?
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has announced that Japan's trade with China in the first half of 2004 increased by 30.2 per cent over the same period last year to US$78.72 billion, setting a new record for the fifth consecutive year (half-year basis). Robust export and import increases were seen over a wide range of commodities, indicating the trade relationship between Japan and China continues to strengthen.

Read the full story from JETRO
http://www.jetro.go.jp/it/e/press/2004/aug24.html
Accessed on 20 September 2004

… UNIFEM has launched a comprehensive code of corporate conduct on gender equality and women's empowerment?
The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) has launched the first global code of conduct for corporations focused exclusively on empowering, advancing and investing in women worldwide. The code is intended to provide companies with a set of goals they can aspire to and measure their progress against, while offering investors a set of tools they can use to assess corporate performance on gender equality issues. The code includes dimensions such as wages and benefits; health, safety and violence; discrimination in the workplace; civic and community engagement; management and governance; hiring, promotion and professional development; business and supply chain practices; and monitoring and reporting.

Read the full story from UNIFEM
http://www.unifem.org/pressreleases.php?f_page_pid=6&f_pritem_pid=169
Accessed on 22 September 2004

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