• TRADE-RELATED INFORMATION
• CUSTOMS REGULATIONS AND CHARGES
• NON-TARIFF MEASURES
• INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED INFORMATION
• INVESTMENT-RELATED INFORMATION
• DID YOU KNOW THAT...?

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Japan reaches free trade agreement with Brunei Darussalam. Bilaterals, 21 December 2006.
Japan has agreed with Brunei Darussalam in principle to liberalize bilateral trade, seeking to secure a stable energy supply from the resource-rich Southeast Asian country. Japan and Brunei Darussalam aim to seal the free trade agreement and put it into effect during the first half of 2007. Brunei Darussalam is the eighth country with which Japan has reached an FTA. Under the accord, the two countries plan to set up a public-private panel on energy issues and to hold advance talks if Brunei Darussalam decides to cut exports to Japan. About 70 per cent of Japan’s exports to Brunei Darussalam are cars and auto parts. Under the FTA, Brunei Darussalam is to eliminate tariffs on most of those products within three years.
Accessed on 22 December < http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=6752 >

CHINA
China and ASEAN sign 2 cooperation documents. China View, 9 December 2006.
China and ASEAN signed two protocols to further their cooperation, namely the Second Protocol to amend the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Between China and ASEAN and the Protocol to amend the Agreement on Trade in Goods of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. The protocols mainly solve certain remaining problems by amending the two agreements, e.g. they include determining and revising the lists of specially designated early-harvest products between China and the Philippines and between China and Indonesia, and the trade in goods agreement between China and Viet Nam.
Accessed on 11 December
< http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/09/content_5461340.htm >

INDIA
India and EFTA seek firm ties to spur bilateral trade. Financial Express, 2 December 2006.
India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have established a joint study group (JSG) to explore the possibility of entering into a broad-based trade and investment agreement. Such an agreement would cover trade in goods and services, investment, trade facilitation, technical standards and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, intellectual property rights and dispute settlement. The JSG will meet alternatively in New Delhi and Geneva and has been asked to give its report within one year. EFTA comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Accessed on 7 December
< http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=147846 >

India to offer tariff concessions to LDCs. Hindustan Times, 2 December 2006.
India will offer tariff concessions from 30 to 40 per cent on the margin of preference (MOP) to the least developed countries (LDCs) to boost South - South trade amongst developing and least developed countries. The concessions will be across a comprehensive list of 3313 items that also include textiles and agriculture sectors. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has put forth this proposal ahead of the third round of negotiations with members from General System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) group. The MOP for GSTP members is benchmarked to the tariffs applicable to Most Favored Nation (MFN) countries. All members of the G-77 group of developing countries will be eligible for tariff concessions up to 20 to 25 per cent on a MOP basis.
Accessed on 7 December
< http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1860829,00020008.htm >

India and Japan ink 11 agreements. India News, 15 December 2006.
India and Japan have signed 11 agreements on diverse areas, including the launching of a joint task force to develop an economic partnership agreement; promotion of a Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor; cooperation between the Government of India and Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the promotion of India-Japan tourism exchanges.
Accessed on 19 December < http://www.indiaenews.com/asia/20061215/32697.htm >

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Indonesia to sign preferential trade agreement with Islamic Republic of Iran. Mehr News, December 2006.
Indonesia and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to sign a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The Ministry of Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Iran has undertaken to follow up the legal process resulting in the bill’s ratification. After getting approvals from the related bodies, the ministry will send the draft bill to the cabinet for final approval. With the signing of the PTA, both countries will enjoy preferences in terms of tariff on some products neither side has offered before. The PTA will remove all kinds of para-tariff and non-tariff barriers to boost trade and economic relations between the two nations.
Accessed on 7 December < http://www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=417004 >

JAPAN
Japan Parliament approves FTA with Philippines. Yahoo News, 6 December 2006.
The Parliament of Japan approved a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Philippines, paving the way for the pact to take effect next spring. The Philippines will be the fourth country to realize an FTA with Japan, following Singapore, Mexico and Malaysia. The agreement calls on Japan to accept Philippine nurses and care workers as far as they have relevant Japanese qualifications. Japan plans to accept 400 nurses and 600 care workers from the Philippines within two years after the pact takes effect.
Accessed on 7 December < http://asia.news.yahoo.com/061206/kyodo/d8lrb1r80.html >

Basic tariff deal reached with ASEAN. The Japan Times, 10 December 2006.
Japan and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations reached a basic agreement on a plan to scrap bilateral tariffs within 10 years. Abolishing tariffs is a centerpiece of the free-trade agreement currently under negotiation between Japan and ASEAN. The basic agreement will be formalized during summit talks between Japan and ASEAN next month and it is hoped that the FTA talks can be brought to a conclusion in spring.
Accessed on 11 December < http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20061210a4.html >

NEPAL
Government consults on trade treaty renewal. Kantipur Online, 9 December 2006.
As the time for expiry of the Nepal-India Trade Treaty narrows, the Government has stepped up consultations with concerned stakeholders to build a national position for ‘improving’ the treaty while renewing it. The treaty expires on 5 March 2007. According to the treaty’s provision, the treaty would automatically be renewed if neither side raised any objection. However, both countries have agreed to make some changes to broaden the coverage of the treaty. India has proposed inclusion of service trade, investment, industrial promotion and energy in the upcoming treaty to deepen its impact on bilateral trade growth. Nepal has consented to their inclusion.
Accessed on 11 December < http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=93901 >

NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand and Republic of Korea strengthen partnership. Scoop, 8 December 2006
New Zealand and the Republic of Korea have adopted the “Partnership for the 21st Century” on 8 December. It outlines five core areas: political, economic, environmental, innovation and the knowledge-based economy, and civil society links. A key component of the partnership is an agreement to commission a study into the merits of a FTA between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. Private institutions in both countries will jointly undertake the study which is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.
Accessed on 11 December < http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0612/S00185.htm >

CER rules of origin relaxed. Newswire, 19 December 2006.
Australia and New Zealand have agreed to relax the rules around what constitutes a locally made product under the Closer Economic Relations (CER) trade agreement. Currently, New Zealand or Australian businesses wanting to benefit from the tariff-free provisions in the CER must ensure 50 per cent of their products are made from locally sourced materials. According to the new rules, finished products for export won’t be liable for tariffs as long as they have a different tariff classification to any raw materials imported from third countries.
Accessed on 20 December
< http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=352085&catid=0 >

PAKISTAN
Pakistan and Yemen agree to expand trade ties. Business Recorder, 11 December 2006.
Pakistan and Yemen have agreed to further expand their political, economic and trade ties, with a particular focus on increasing investment and closer collaboration in areas of defense and security cooperation as a measure to strengthen their relations. Yemen invited Pakistani investors to the country and said vast opportunities were available in diverse areas, including the establishment of joint companies in trade, industry, agriculture and mining areas. The two countries also exchanged views on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues and reaffirmed their desire to further expand and consolidate their relations.
Accessed on 11 December
< http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=506507&currPageNo=1 >

Pakistan and Bahrain vow to deepen ties and sign two MoUs. Business Recorder, 21 December 2006.
Pakistan and Bahrain have vowed to explore new avenues of cooperation and to intensify interaction in political and economic areas, defense and security besides exploring ways for a free trade agreement. The two countries also signed two memorandums of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in social development and for closer interaction between their Ministries of Foreign Affairs. The two sides will also exchange information and experience in the fields of education, research and training of diplomatic personnel.
Accessed on 21 December
< http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=509848&currPageNo=1 >

PHILIPPINES
Philippines to pursue free-trade accord with United States. Bilaterals, 11 December 2006.
The Philippines and the United States have agreed to pursue talks for a comprehensive free trade agreement. The Philippine team is preparing a concept that would include three phases of the possible Philippines-United States FTA. Under phase 1 of the package, the two parties must agree on common products like garments and textile. Phase 2 will involve granting additional concessions on more sensitive products, while Phase 3 will cover a more comprehensive range of products and services.
Accessed on 11 December < http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=6679 >

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Australia and Republic of Korea to explore FTA. The Korea Times, 6 December 2006.
Australia and the Republic of Korea have agreed to launch a feasibility study on a FTA between the two countries in the first half of 2007. The timeline of negotiations for the agreement will be decided after the joint study.
Accessed on 7 December
< http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200612/kt2006120617184353460.htm >

THAILAND
Thailand issues compulsory licence for patented AIDS drug. ICTSD. 13 December 2006.
Thailand on 29 November 2006 issued a compulsory license for a HIV/AIDS drug of a United States-based drug company, in an attempt to cut growing healthcare costs by encouraging the production and import of generic versions of the patented medicine. The Ministry of Public Health authorized the Government Pharmaceutical Organization to manufacture generic versions of the drug until 2011 and to import generics from India until domestic production comes on line. It specified that the medicines were to be used for the country's national HIV/AIDS treatment programme, stressing that the decision was in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on access to medicine, specifically citing the 2001 Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which permits compulsory licensing for “emergency cases and public uses.”
Accessed on 19 December < http://www.ictsd.org/weekly/06-12-13/story2.htm >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States Congress backs Viet Nam trade. BBC, 9 December 2006.
The United States Congress has passed landmark legislation normalizing trade ties with Viet Nam. Prior to this, the bill had suffered a defeat in November in the House of Representatives ahead of the President’s first visit to Viet Nam. The legislation sweeps aside trade curbs in place since the Viet Nam War.
Accessed on 11 December < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6163889.stm >

VIET NAM
Viet Nam ratifies WTO membership. BBC, 28 November 2006.
Viet Nam’s National Assembly has ratified its entry into the WTO, paving the way for the country to be the group’s 150th member. The vote in favor of the move, came three weeks after it was invited to join the WTO. Viet Nam has been negotiating to join the WTO for more than a decade.
Accessed on 30 November < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6191430.stm >

EUROPEAN UNION
EU tightens security rules on imports, exports. Cattle Network, 8 December 2006.
The European Union announced that it will tighten its rules for allowing goods in and out of the soon-to-be-27-nation bloc as part of its push to strengthen security measures on shipments. Effective from 2007, national customs officials will have to start exchanging information with each other electronically. As of July 2009, European traders will have to help them by electronically communicating the details of their imports and exports within strict time limits depending on the type of cargo. The new rules will apply to all EU countries. Currently, the EU negotiating with its main trading partners, namely China and the United States, to convince them to recognize the EU’s new security standards.
Accessed on 19 December < http://www.cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=91880 >

KAZAKHSTAN
Mazhilis approves changes in Customs Code. Gazeta, 13 December 2006.
The Mazhilis – the lower house of the Parliament of Kazakhstan – has approved changes and amendments in the law “On changes and amendments in the Customs Code” on 13 December 2006. The main purpose of the document is to bring norms of the customs legislation in compliance with the WTO requirements. In particular, the draft law excludes the norm on the double taxation of the imported commodities, whose country of origin is not identified.
Accessed on 19 December < http://eng.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=84588 >

PAKISTAN
15 per cent regulatory duty on gur export. Business Recorder, 7 December 2006.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has imposed 15 per cent regulatory duty on export of gur, a kind of unrefined sugar, with the hope that it would stop massive diversion of sugarcane crop towards mechanized gur making. However, it turned down the sugar industry’s demand to bring gur making activity into tax net by imposing 15 per cent general sales tax (GST). Gur making has been on the rise in the country for the last few years and has turned into a mechanized industry. It touched the highest level last year when a major portion of the sugarcane crop in Peshawar valley went into this activity. This business thrived at the cost of sugar industry in the valley. The Government feels that continuance of gur making trend would not only hurt the Government in the coming years but would also deprive the sugar industry of crop availability. High gur prices were an attractive incentive for the farmers to sell their crop to gur makers.
Accessed on 7 December
< http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=505049&currPageNo=1 >

PHILIPPINES
Customs office asks stakeholders to help refine Kyoto accession draft. Sun Star, 5 December 2006.
A consultancy firm that studied how far the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has gone in complying with global standards on customs procedures has called on importers, exporters, brokers and other stakeholders in international trade to comment on the draft plan on how gaps in Philippine compliance with the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) be closed. A new website (www.rkcphil.net) has been created to help validate the identified gaps in compliance to global standards.
Accessed on 7 December < http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2006/12/05/ >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation to impose customs duties on oil exports to Belarus. RBC News, 12 December 2006.
The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation has signed a decree on the application of customs duties on crude oil exported to Belarus. According to the document, effective from 1 December 2006, the export duty on crude oil amounts to US$ 180.7 per tonne, while duties on light and heavy refined oil products are US$ 134 and US$ 72.2 per tonne, respectively.
Accessed on 13 December < http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20061212175240.shtml >

Russian Federation adjusts customs regulations to meet EU standards. RIA Novosti, 15 December 2006.
Effective from 1 January 2007, the Russian Federation is introducing a new form for both freight customs and transit declarations, which corresponds to the single administrative document used in the countries of the European Union European Free Trade Association. The move to unite freight customs and transit declaration into a single document is an intermediary step for the Russian Federation to join the Common Transit Procedure Convention in the future.
Accessed on 19 December < http://en.rian.ru/world/20061215/57004819.html >

SRI LANKA
Import duties revoked to control cost of living in Sri Lanka. Colombo Page, 12 December 2006.
Sri Lanka has revoked import duties on dry fish, Maldives fish, shrimp, red onions, chickpeas, green gram, cowpea, dried chilies and canned fish with immediate effect in order to manage the soaring cost of living during the festive season. The SL Rs. 20 per kilo import duty on big onions and potatoes has been fully removed and SL Rs. 5 has been waived off the import duty on wheat flour. The prices of several essential food items have increased in the local market owing to the rainy weather over the past few days. This situation was aggravated due to demand for food items during the festive period. The Ministry of Finance and Planning said the tariff concessions granted for export of dhal would continue through 31 January to benefit local farmers.
Accessed on 13 December < http://www.colombopage.com/archive/December12124648CH.html >

THAILAND
United States extends tariff breaks by two years. Bangkok Post, 13 December 2006.
Selected Thai products will enjoy low tariff rates for two more years following the extension of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) by the United States. Gold jewellery will likely lose benefits from the programme, as Thailand’s exports of the products already exceed the limit of US$ 120 million in the United States, however, jewellery exporters will be allowed to enjoy duty-free shipments until 1 July 2007. GSP provides duty-free treatment for 3,400 products from 133 developing economies. A country is ‘graduated’ from the GSP when its per capita GDP or imports of specific products exceed specified limits. In the first nine months of 2006, the United States imported US$ 3.1 billion worth of GSP-eligible products from Thailand, up 24.6 per cent from the year before.
Accessed on 13 December < http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/13Dec2006_biz38.php >

VIET NAM
Export tariffs on minerals increase. Nhan Dan, 9 December 2006.
The tariff rate levied on coal exports will rise to 10 per cent from zero at present, according to a recent decision of the Ministry of Finance. The ministry said the rise was aimed at curbing the exports of coal in service of several thermo-electricity projects which were going to operate in the near future. Export tariffs on a number of minerals including iron, lead and zinc and their purities will also increase to between five and 10 per cent from zero currently. Only exports of several mineral scraps and wastes will have their tariff rates down by between 2 and 5 per cent.
Accessed on 11 December
< http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/business/091206/business_e.htm >

Viet Nam to slash preferential tax on imported textile-garments. Thanh Nien News, 14 December 2006.
The Ministry of Finance is going to make changes in preferential tax rates by reducing the tariff on imported textile and garment products. Tax rates on fiber products will be reduced by 5 to 20 per cent, while the tax rate on fabric to 12 per cent, and tax rates on ready-made clothes to 20 per cent. According to current regulations, special preferential tariff is only applicable to textile and apparel products imported from Australia, the EU and the United States. Under WTO commitments, most favored nations (MFN) principles will influence tariffs of products imported.
Accessed on 19 December
< http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/?catid=2&newsid=23201 >

CHINA
China bans poultry from the Republic of Korea to deter bird flu. Bloomberg, 29 November
2006.
China has banned the import of poultry from the Republic of Korea in six provinces to prevent an outbreak of bird flu from spreading across its borders. Agriculture and quarantine officials were ordered to increase scrutiny of cross-border cargo in Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Jilin, Shandong and Zhejiang provinces. The Republic of Korea has reported two outbreaks of avian influenza since 25 November 2006, the first in three years, fueling concern that the virus may spread through North Asia after renewed outbreaks in Southeast Asia last summer. Disease trackers are monitoring the H5N1 bird-flu strain, which threatens to mutate into a form that’s easily spread among humans. It has infected at least 258 people in 10 countries during the past three years, killing 153 of them.
Accessed on 30 November
< http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=amFpLlskonPA&refer=japan >

China imposes anti-dumping tariffs on United States and EU wear resistant overlay imports. Forbes, 11 December 2006.
The Ministry of Commerce has imposed anti-dumping tariffs on wear resistant overlay imports from the United States and the European Union. Effective from 13 December, tariffs are set at 4.1- 42.8 per cent. Wear resistant overlays boost the durability of laminate flooring.
Accessed on 13 December
< http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2006/12/11/afx3245734.html >

China delays genetically modified rice. The Truth about Trade, 7 December 2006.
China, the world’s biggest rice producer and consumer, has further delayed the introduction of genetically modified (GM) rice amid growing concerns about biosafety. Chinese authorities approved several varieties of GM rice for human consumption in early 2005 but they never cleared the rice for licensing to farmers. Further discussion by the country’s biosafety committee in November has brought no further progress in commercializing the crops. Scientists say that the country is under growing pressure from the international community to safeguard biosafety. The latest decision to carry out further safety tests on GM rice follows a move by Europe to step up safeguards against United States rice after the United States exported a shipment contaminated by a GM variety this summer.
Accessed on 11 December < http://www.truthabouttrade.org/article.asp?id=6688 >

INDIA
India ends drawn out anti-dumping battle against Chinese silk industry. People’s Daily online, 13 December 2006.
India’s one-and-a-half year anti-dumping case against the import of Chinese silk has come to a close after Chinese firms agreed on minimum prices. The minimum prices, ranging from US$ 1.662 to US$ 4.526 per meter for the fabrics, are 30 per cent down from the previous ruling. Chinese firms who sell silk fabrics at prices lower than the minimum set price will be forced to pay anti-dumping duties according to the price disparity.
Accessed on 19 December
< http://english.people.com.cn/200612/13/eng20061213_331751.html >

Government lifts export ban on sugar under ALS. Economic Times, 19 December 2006.
India lifted the ban imposed on export of sugar since the middle of 2006; however, the ban has been lifted at present only for raw sugar imported under the advanced license scheme (ALS). Around one million tonne of raw sugar imported under ALS will now be re-exported as refined sugar.
Accessed on 19 December
< http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Markets/Commodities/ >

Apple growers seek to challenge Australia through WTO. Radio New Zealand, 2 December 2006.
Apple growers and opposition are calling on the Government to take Australia to the World Trade Organization over apple access. They say the restrictions that Biosecurity Australia proposes to impose on New Zealand apple exports are so tough that no one could profitably export apples to Australia, so they amount to a non-tariff trade barrier. This would be the first occasion on which either New Zealand or Australia would have to resort to multi-lateral dispute settlement procedures to resolve a bilateral trade dispute. In its final risk assessment Biosecurity Australia has proposed lifting the ban on New Zealand apples, imposed 85 years ago because of the perceived risk of introducing the plant disease fire blight there. However, it recommended the importing of New Zealand apples to be subject to strict quarantine conditions.
Accessed on 7 December
< http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200612021025/ >

PHILIPPINES
Department of Agriculture lifts ban on French beef. Manila Standard, 12 December 2006.
The Department of Agriculture has lifted the six-year ban on French beef and cattle products after the Office International des Epizooties cleared France of the mad cow disease. The directive only allows entry of de-boned and de-glanded beef not older than 30 months and that the meat should be devoid of any nerves and other mad cow risk materials as certified by the French Government. The beef should come only from healthy, ambulatory and not downer cattle born and grown in France and that slaughter of the cattle and the cutting/packaging of the beef was done in a meat facility used only for 30 months old and younger. The beef should not at anytime and in any manner get in contact or mixed with beef coming from cattle older than 30 months and that the slaughter date of the cattle or the production date of the beef should be included in the packaging label.
Accessed on 12 December
< http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business3_dec12_2006 >

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Republic of Korea rejects third United States beef shipment. Digital Chosunilbo, 7 December 2006.
The Republic of Korea has rejected the third shipment of United States beef to reach the nation after a three-year ban was lifted in October. All together, 22.3 tonnes of United States beef have now failed to meet requirements due to bone fragments found in the shipment. The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said naked-eye inspection of the 10.2 tonne third shipment confirmed seven bone fragments in three boxes. The decision is likely to aggravate tensions over the Republic of Korea’s beef quarantine measures in the current round of free trade negotiations with the United States.
Accessed on 7 December
< http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200612/200612070018.html >

Foreigners told to use Korean in dumping suit. Times Hanooki, 18 December 2006.
Effective from 1 January 2007, foreign companies fighting anti-dumping duties will have to submit documents in Korean to the Korean Trade Commission (KTC). Until now, foreign companies have been allowed to submit either English or Korean-written documents.
Accessed on 19 December
< http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200612/kt2006121819001311900.htm >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation ends ban on wine from the Republic of Moldova, eliminating hurdle to WTO entry. Truth about Trade and Technology, 28 November 2006.
The Russian Federation announced lifting its ban on Moldovan wine and meat products. It had banned imports of Moldovan wine earlier in 2006, citing quality concerns. Before the ban, wine exports made up about 30 per cent of the Republic of Moldova’s GDP and it sold 80 per cent of its wine to the Russian Federation. After the ban was announced, the Republic of Moldova said that the country would support the Russian Federation’s entry of the World Trade Organization (WTO) only if the wine ban was reversed and other imports of agricultural produce were allowed. In November 2006, the Russian Federation has signed a bilateral agreement with the United States of America that was the last major obstacle to joining the 149-member WTO, but Georgia – whose wine was also banned by the Russian Federation - and Moldova have threatened to block the Russian Federation’s bid.
Accessed on 30 November < http://www.truthabouttrade.org/article.asp?id=6629 >

Russian Federation widens its meat import ban to all EU States. Warsaw Business Journal, 15 December 2006.
Effective from 1 January 2007, the Russian Federation closes its borders to meat imports from EU countries, with the exemption of Denmark, France, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany and Italy.
Accessed on 19 December < http://www.wbj.pl/?command=article&id=35272 >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States to ban exports of luxury goods to Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. News Blaze, 2 December 2006.
The United States soon will implement the portion of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 that bans the export of luxury goods to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Secretary of Commerce stressed that the United States was neither imposing a full trade embargo nor restricting essential items such as food and medicine.
Accessed on 8 December
< http://newsblaze.com/story/20061202070733tsop.nb/ >

United States International Trade Commission approves anti-dumping investigation into coated paper imports. China View, 16 December 2006.
The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) approved an anti-dumping investigation into coated free sheet paper from China, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea. The commission said there was a reasonable indication that coated paper imports from the three countries had materially injured or threatened with material injury a local industry due to the three Governments’ subsidies. The Commerce Department will now continue to conduct its investigation of imports of coated paper, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on around 24 January 2007.
Accessed on 19 December
< http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/16/content_5495694.htm >

United States orders preliminary anti-dumping duties on Chinese polyester staple fiber. Forbes, 18 December 2006.
The Department of Commerce said it would impose preliminary anti-dumping duties on imports of some polyester staple fiber from China. The anti-dumping margins range from 4.39 per cent to 44.30 per cent with three Chinese producers singled out in the preliminary determination. Following this decision, Customs will require United States importers to post a bond or cash deposit for such duties, pending a final determination and announcement of final duty levels, expected in May 2007.
Accessed on 20 December
< http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2006/12/18/afx3266224.html >

VIET NAM
Viet Nam to create anti-dumping legal framework. VietNamNet Bridge, 1 December 2006.
The Minister of Trade said that one of the most important tasks now was to build up a complete legal framework with detailed regulations on taking safeguard measures against imports to Viet Nam. The documents would need to come in line with the situation in Viet Nam, Viet Nam’s laws and with WTO agreements. He stressed that it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Trade to discover, investigate and tackle dumping cases in Viet Nam, acknowledging at the same time that the Government staff did still not have the necessary capabilities. Staff would thus have to be further trained. In addition, the Competition Administration Department under the Ministry of Industry has been established which to play a very important role in cases related to dumping activities in the future.
Accessed on 7 December < http://english.vietnamnet.vn/biz/2006/12/639517/ >

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
WTO Secretariat announces latest statistics on safeguards actions. WTO, 29 November 2006.
The WTO Secretariat has published the latest statistics on safeguards actions notified by WTO Members pursuant to the Agreement on Safeguards. Since 1 January 1995 and until 23 October 2006, a total of 155 safeguard investigations were initiated, and a total of 76 safeguard measures were imposed. These figures are far smaller compared to anti-dumping (2938 initiations and 1875 measures for the period 1 January 1995 — 30 June 2006) and relatively small compared to countervailing duty (183 initiations and 113 measures for the period 1 January 1995 — 30 June 2006). The number of safeguard investigations newly initiated during 2006 was 13. The Member notifying the largest number of new initiations since 1995 was India, with 15 initiations. Concerning application of new final safeguard measures in 2006, 6 new measures (of which Turkey notified 4) have been imposed. Since 1995, India reported the largest number of measures.
Accessed on 30 November
< http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news06_e/sfg_29nov06_e.htm >

CHINA
China to seek international cooperation on science projects. GOV.cn, 6 December 2006.
Chinese scientific projects are to be opened to international cooperation and professional exchanges. China aims at increasing competitiveness by attracting more innovative talent and tapping advanced technologies. Since 2005, China has joined a number of major international research and development projects, including the 3.5 billion euro Galileo system, a network of 30 global positioning satellites intended for civilian use. The Government’s 11th five-year plan (2006-2010) for international cooperation in science and technology has identified energy, biology and space technology as major areas for such cooperation.
Accessed on 7 December < http://english.gov.cn/2006-12/06/content_462527.htm >

China and Thailand cooperate on traditional Chinese medicine. SINA, 8 December 2006.
A medical university in Shanghai will cooperate with the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand on traditional Chinese medicine in production, research and personnel training. According to an agreement signed on 8 December 2006 in Shanghai, the two sides will share the latest medical information and developments, and promote exchanges of teachers, students and experts. Thailand will offer degree education on traditional Chinese medicine, and students of the two countries can obtain two degrees from the educational authorities of both China and Thailand. A committee will be set up to coordinate the health cooperation, and the committee will hold regular academic conferences every year.
Accessed on 11 December < http://english.sina.com/business/1/2006/1208/97446.html >

China and Kazakhstan agree to expand cooperation. CRI English, 20 December 2006.
China and Kazakhstan have signed the “China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Strategy for the 21st Century” in which the two countries agree to support the oil and gas pipeline construction between the two countries. They will also work closely on oil and gas processing, building new power facilities and providing electrical power to a third country. Furthermore, the strategy encourages mutual investment between the two sides, pledging to create favorable conditions for enterprises which invest in industries as oil machinery manufacturing, foodstuffs and textiles.
Accessed on 21 December < http://english.cri.cn/2946/2006/12/20/65@176278.htm >

China to launch root domain name server. Shanghai Daily, 20 December 2006.
China will set up a mirror server for Chinese ‘netizens’ to visit websites whose domain names end with .com or .net. Instead of being served by overseas domain servers for making visits, the new server will provide a domain name system or “DNS” function of its own, which will guarantee the security for ‘netizens' visiting from China and also raise the linking speed.
Accessed on 21 December < http://english.sina.com/technology/1/2006/1220/98534.html >

INDIA
India sets novel agenda for environmental goods. The Financial Express, 13 December 2006.
In a move that has changed the course of discussion on environmental goods at the WTO, India has proposed a radically different and novel ‘project approach method’ for tariff reduction or elimination and removal of non-tariff barriers (NTB) on such goods. India has proposed that services should be linked with goods used for environmental purposes. Besides, it has mooted that a new Designated National Authority be set up in every country to approve which goods and services will qualify for tariff cuts and how long will the projects be in force.
Accessed on 13 November
< http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=148743 >

INTERNET CORPORATION FOR ASSIGNED NAMES AND NUMBERS (ICANN)
ICANN gives Asia its dot. Asia Internet, 8 December 2006.
In a move reflecting the growing Asian flavor of the Internet, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers on 7 December 2006 approved the first top-level domain registry based in the Asian and Pacific region. The .asia top-level domain will join other Asian-Pacific Internet domains, such as China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, which are already managed by the DotAsia Organization. The addition brings the total number of Internet domain suffixes to 266. Despite the fact that more than 64 per cent of Internet users coming from non-English-speaking countries and Asian speakers comprise 33 per cent of the online population, only 11 per cent of .com or .net registrations come from Asia. As part of that outreach effort, DotAsia is considering allowing domain names to use the Asian alphabet. ICANN is also investigating a similar expansion for domain naming.
Accessed on 11 December < http://asia.internet.com/news/article.php/3648071 >

JAPAN
Japan trials next-generation mobile WiMAX. Wireless IQ, 5 December 2006.
The Government of Japan, in cooperation with the private sector, is working on a next-generation wireless trial using WiMAX solutions to deliver mobile high-speed broadband services in the northern Tohoku region. The trial, being conducted by the Tohoku Bureau of Telecommunications, a regional arm of Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), is part of MIC’s “Next Generation Broadband Strategy 2010.” The vision is targeting anywhere, anytime connectivity for all citizens by 2010 through universal broadband services supporting Internet access, VoIP, video conferencing, interactive gaming and other high-bandwidth services. Mobile WiMAX solution addresses this issue by using advanced transmission techniques to provide last mile connectivity without the cost and complexity of laying copper wire.
Accessed on 7 December < http://www.wirelessiq.com/content/topstories/1693.html >

MYANMAR
Myanmar to further develop finished gem industry. The Hindu, 5 December 2006.
Myanmar has stressed the need to develop finished gem industry to pave the way for exporting value-added products. Myanmar will grant 215 more mining blocks for local investors in 2007 to promote gems and jade production. Of the new mining blocks allotted, 77 are in Shan State and 39 in Mandalay division for gem mining, while 99 near Lonekin in Kachin State are for jade mining. Each block measures one acre and the blocks are to be leased on a three-year term. To earn foreign exchange, Myanmar started to hold gem shows in 1964, sponsoring annual and mid-year ones, adding special jade and gem sale since 2004. Since then the country has earned a total of over US$ 600 million from all such events, attended by foreign gem traders mostly coming from China; Hong Kong, China; Japan and Thailand.
Accessed on 11 December < http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200612051122.htm >

NEPAL
Cyber law enacted. Nepal News, 10 December 2006.
The Government of Nepal has enacted the Electronic Transactions Act 2006 with the objective of regularizing the electronic activities and cyber-based transactions. With the enacting of the law, electronic transactions involving e-commerce or e-business will now receive formal legal sanction. The law has provisions regarding the definition, use and legality of entire range of electronic activities including digital signature, digital documents and so on. The act also has provision governing network service providers, electronic transactions tribunal, electronic transactions appellate tribunal and computer-related crimes.
Accessed on 13 December
< http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/dec/dec10/news01.php >

PAKISTAN
US$ 510 million facility to promote renewable energy development in Pakistan. ADB, 7 December 2006.
ADB is promoting the development of renewable energy in Pakistan through a multi-tranche financing facility of up to US$ 510 million. The programme is the first of its kind in Pakistan and also one of the first to be developed under ADB’s evolving clean energy and efficiency initiative, through which ADB is planning to expand energy efficiency operations in its developing member countries to US$1 billion per year. Power and energy, together with transport connectivity and water, are major constraints in Pakistan to achieving the kind of high economic growth that can benefit the poor. Pakistan’s energy supplies are highly dependent on oil imports, the cost of which accounts for a large share of the country’s total import bill.
Accessed on 8 December
< http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2006/11118 >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation and Kazakhstan create joint venture for uranium transportation. Itar Tass News Agency, 7 December 2006.
The Russian Federation and Kazakhstan have signed a memorandum on the creation of a joint venture on the territory of the Russian Federation that will build and operate a transport and logistics facility. The joint projects in the uranium sphere provide for the production of 6,000 tonnes of uranium a year. The planned joint venture will be responsible for delivering the products to consumers.
Accessed on 11 December
< http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11061378&PageNum=0 >

THAILAND
Thailand signs MoU to buy more power from Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Nation, 19 December 2006.
Thailand and Lao People’s Democratic Republic have signed an MoU under which Thailand is to purchase an additional 2,000 megawatts of power from projects in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The additional supply will meet increasing power demand in Thailand and will bolster the security of the country’s electricity supply.
Accessed on 19 December
< http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30021860 >

TIMOR-LESTE
Timor-Leste and Kuwait ally for oil and gas. The Clarion-Ledger, 17 December 2006.
Timor-Leste has established a joint venture with Kuwait to distribute gas and oil and build fuel storage facilities across the Southeast Asian country. The agreement will create the East Timor Trading Company (ETTC), which will be 100 per cent Kuwait-owned. Under a shareholders agreement, profits from oil and gas sales will be split 70-30 between ETTC and the Government of Timor-Leste, respectively. Offshore oil and gas reserves are seen as key to the financial future of Timor-Leste.
Accessed on 21 December
< http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061217/BIZ/612170352/1005/biz >

UNITED NATIONS
General Assembly urges action to protect world’s fish stocks. UN, 8 December 2006.
Responding to the depletion of fish stocks and degradation of fragile marine habitats in many parts of the world, the United Nations General Assembly called on States to take immediate action to reverse the situation and protect vulnerable deep sea ecosystems. Adopting a consensus resolution on sustainable fisheries, the Assembly called on all States to act in a precautionary manner and apply an “ecosystem approach” to the conservation, management and exploitation of fish stocks. The resolution also expressed the Assembly’s particular concern that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing constituted a serious threat to fish stocks and marine habitats and ecosystems, to the detriment of sustainable fisheries, as well as the food security and the economies of many States, particularly poorer ones. 52 per cent of global fish stocks are fully exploited, while overexploited and depleted species have increased from about 10 per cent in the mid 1970s to 24 per cent in 2002.
Accessed on 11 December
< http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20912&Cr=fish&Cr1= >

UZBEKISTAN
President resolves to modernize enterprises of Uzbek textile industry. Uzreport, 29 November 2006.
The President of Uzbekistan signed a resolution on 13 November 2006 to approve the programme of modernization and technical re-equipment of the Uzbek textile industry enterprises for 2006-2008. The resolution also establishes that all projects on modernization and technical re-equipment of light industry enterprises have to be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade. An interdepartmental expert council will be formed under the ministry to consider proposals on construction, reorganization and modernization of light industry enterprises.
Accessed on 30 November < http://business.uzreport.com/uzb.cgi?lan=e&id=24327 >

CHINA
Oil wholesale market to be opened up. China Daily, 7 December 2006.
The oil product wholesale market will be open to domestic and foreign investors from next year, the Ministry of Commerce announced on 6 December 2006. The opening of the wholesale business supplying gasoline and other oil products to filling stations will start on 1 January 2007, and fulfills commitments made by China on entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) five years ago. The wholesale business has long been monopolized by two State-owned conglomerates. Under the new rules, multinational giants can invest in the sales of gasoline, diesel and kerosene to retailers. In accordance with WTO commitments, the country has already opened up the oil retail business, allowing foreign companies to run a limited number of filling stations or to operate larger networks with Chinese partners.
Accessed on 7 December < http://english.cri.cn/2946/2006/12/07/48@171628.htm >

Bank regulator issues reform guidelines. GOV.cn, 7 December 2006.
The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) issued guidelines on 6 December to encourage financial innovation by commercial lenders, such as increasing earnings made from fees and giving out less risky loans. The guidelines will take effect from 11 December 2006, the day China will fully open its banking sector to foreign lenders in line with its commitment to the WTO. According to the guidelines, CBRC will set up a sound legal environment to encourage financial innovation. The regulator will further streamline approval procedures and strengthen supervision to facilitate financial innovation. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of risk control. They require commercial banks have a good knowledge of their businesses, risks, clients and competitors. In addition, the guidelines clarify commercial banks’ obligations to consumers, such as correct disclosure of information, professional services, protection of assets and offering effective complaint channels.
Accessed on 7 December < http://english.gov.cn/2006-12/07/content_463378.htm >

Foreign banks’ applications get nod. China Daily, 11 December 2006.
The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) has announced that it would accept the application of eight foreign banks for local incorporation. Following the issuance of the new regulations on administration of foreign-funded banks, eight foreign banks have applied to turn their operations in China to locally registered corporations. The new rules, in line with China’s commitment to the World Trade Organization, allow foreign-funded banks to deal in the yuan renminbi retail business across the country, effective from 11 December 2006. With a prudential supervision principle, the rules are encouraging foreign banks to incorporate locally when doing yuan renminbi retail business.
Accessed on 11 December
< http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-12/11/content_755084.htm >

Daily benchmark rate to be issued. China Daily, 11 December 2006.
From 1 January 2007, the central bank of China will start to issue a benchmark interest rate daily. The benchmark interest rate will be based on the quotations for various inter-bank lending and borrowing rates at different maturities offered daily by 16 commercial banks with good credit. The move aims to bring the force of prices into play in adjusting the country’s financial markets.
Accessed on 11 December
< http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-12/11/content_755283.htm >

INDIA
Investment procedure to be made easy. Express News Service, 29 November 2006.
In order to attract more investors, the West Bengal State Government has embarked on the task of simplifying procedures that have to be followed for setting up new industries in the State. Currently, there are around 17 formalities that an investor completes before work on construction of a factory can actually start. The goal is to simplify rules and shorten time required for completion of procedures so that investors don’t face so many bureaucratic barriers.
Accessed on 30 November
< http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=211323 >

European aircraft consortium doubles investment in India. CNN, 7 December 2006.
The European aircraft consortium announced it was more than doubling its investment in India to US$ 1 billion over the next 10 years, setting up an engineering facility and a pilot training school in one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets. According to a study by the consortium, India will need 1,100 airplanes worth US$ 105 billion by 2025.
Accessed on 11 December
< http://edition.cnn.com/2006/BUSINESS/12/07/airbus.india.ap/index.html >

THAILAND
Thailand to limit currency dealings. Asia News, 19 December 2006.
Effective of 19 December 2006, the Bank of Thailand announced that foreign investors bringing in cash worth US$ 20,000 or more need to deposit 30 per cent of the amount in financial institutions. The money will be fully returned if the cash is taken out of the country after one year. The central bank said it hoped that this measure would help curb speculation that has made the baht volatile and appreciated above its fundamental level. The move is the most stringent since 1997 to counter baht speculators, who have brought in billions of United States dollars in the past few months and pushed the baht to a level that has threatened Thailand’s exports. In November, there were short-term inflows of US$ 300 million per week, the number tripled to US$ 950 million per week in December, leading to a nine-year high of the Thai currency, 16 per cent stronger than the value it had at the beginning of the year.
Accessed on 19 December < http://www.asianewsnet.net/biz.php?aid=6783 >

VIET NAM
FDI enterprises get relieved regarding import procedures. Viet Nam Economy, 1 December 2006.
The Ministry of Trade of Viet Nam, on 28 November 2006, issued a decision to abolish import permits and endorsement of import tariff exemption for foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises in a move to facilitate their operation in the country. The abolishment is applicable to imported machinery and equipment for production. FDI enterprises will also no longer await for approval from trade departments and management boards of industrial, export processing and hi-tech zones for importing materials that serve their investment projects, liquidating assets and conducting procedures relating to their imports and exports. They are permitted to clear import-export procedures or liquidate assets right at border checkpoints in the absence of written approval of agencies empowered by the ministry.
Accessed on 7 December
< http://www.vneconomy.com.vn/eng/?param=article&catid=07&id=1778201f3d131f >

Read the full report from Reuters Alertnet:
<http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/fd286937a67c8dab2a46446783c61464.htm>
Accessed on 7 December 2006

… China standardizes Chinese food names?
Foreign visitors who are used to certain kinds of Chinese food in their home country will be able to order their favorite dishes in English when they come to Beijing for the Olympic Games in 2008. By the end of January 2007, all dishes and drinks served at the city’s restaurants will have standardized English names.

Read the full report from CRI English:
< http://english.cri.cn/2946/2006/12/21/198@176315.htm >
Accessed on 21 December 2006

… Cell phone messaging generates US$ 80 billion annual revenue?
Mobile phone messaging boasts a global industry generating some US$ 80 billion in annual revenue. Cell phone messaging, as a newcomer in the business, took off faster in developing countries including China than in many developed economies.

Read the full report from SINA:
< http://english.sina.com/technology/1/2006/1205/97139.html >
Accessed on 7 December 2006

… the richest 2 per cent of people in the world own more than half of all household wealth, while the poorer half of the global population control just 1 per cent?
Much of the wealth is concentrated in North America, Europe and rich Asia-Pacific nations such as Japan, Australia and the Republic of Korea, despite their comparatively small population when measured against Africa and countries such as China and India. To belong to the richest 1 per cent in the world, more than US$ 500,000 in wealth was needed – enough for about 37 million people to qualify.

Read the full report from the UN News Centre:
< http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20856&Cr=UN&Cr1=University >
Accessed on 7 December 2006

… Viet Nam has been elected ‘economy of the year’ by the United States Trade and Development Agency?
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has presented Viet Nam with the agency’s 2006 country of the year honor. Since the USTDA’s programme was launched in Viet Nam in 1996, the agency has funded 36 activities and 18 orientation visits designed to support priority development projects and procurement opportunities in Viet Nam.

Read the full report on VietNamNet Bridge :
< http://english.vietnamnet.vn/politics/2006/11/639199/ >
Accessed on 7 December 2006

Information is taken mainly from secondary sources and UNESCAP accepts no responsibility for its accuracy. Mention of any companies and their products does not imply endorsement by the United Nations.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.