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Welcome to E-TISNET Monthly News to
keep you abreast of the latest developments
on trade and investment relevant for the Asia-Pacific
region.
E-TISNET Monthly News is the new electronic
and user-friendly version of five sections
of the former TISNET Trade and Investment
Information Bulletin (see below). This
issue can be also accessed from UNESCAP's
web page, at http://www.unescap.org/tid/latestnews.asp
Past issues are available from http://www.unescap.org/tid/tisnet/tis_bul.asp
For enquiries, please contact us at escap-tisnet@un.org
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A. TRADE-RELATED
INFORMATION
ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
ORGANIZATION (APEC)
New APEC strategy on tourism. APEC
Media Release, 14 October 2004
On 14 October 2004, APEC Tourism Ministers
concluded their meeting in Punta Arenas
(Chile) by endorsing the Patagonia Declaration
on Tourism in the APEC Region intended to
promote sustainability with economic and
social development and offer a strategic
plan to ensure the viability of the regional
tourism industry. The Declaration covers
a number of key issues for Governments to
take into consideration including measuring
sustainability, safety and security of tourism
as well as projects to expand niche product
development, such as sports and health tourism.
For the full text of the Declaration, please
click on the following link
Patagonia
Declaration on Tourism in the APEC Region.
Accessed on 22 October 2004 http://www.apec.org/apec/news___media/media_releases/141004_patagoniadecltourism.html
CAMBODIA
Accession to WTO completed. WTO
News, 13 October 2004
On 13 October 2004, Cambodia became the
WTO’s 148th member, almost 10 years
after it first applied and just over a
year after its membership package was
approved. Cambodia is now the second least-developed
country to join the WTO through the full
working party negotiation process. It
brings the current number of least-developed
countries in the WTO to 32.
Accessed on 15 October 2004 http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/cambodia_148members_13oct04_e.htm
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
ASEM 5 Summit. EU Trade News,
5 October 2004
From 7 to 9 October 2004, the ASEM 5 Summit
took place in Hanoi (Viet Nam) to celebrate
the enlargement of ASEM to 39 partners,
including the 10 new members of the EU,
and 3 new members on the Asian side: Cambodia,
Lao PDR and Myanmar. Discussions during
the Summit covered political, economic
and cultural issues of interest to both
sides. In parallel with the Summit, the
EU delegation discussed with its Vietnamese
counterpart the EU-Viet Nam bilateral
deal for Viet Nam's accession to the WTO.
Accessed on 11 October 2004
<
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/asem/pr051004_en.htm
>
Proposal of a new GSP system.
EU Trade News, 20 October 2004
On 20 October 2004, the European Commission
adopted a proposal setting out the details
of the EU system of trade preferences,
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP),
for the period 2006-2008. The Commission
proposes to improve the current system
in a number of areas: simplification (cutting
back from five to three separate arrangements);
expanding the product coverage; focusing
the benefits on those developing countries
most in need; and setting up an additional
GSP benefits (‘GSP+’) to encourage
sustainable development. The text will
now be sent to the EU member States, the
European Parliament and the Economic and
Social Committee so that it can be adopted
in time for entry into force on 1 July
2005.
Accessed on 26 October 2004 < http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/global/gsp/pr201004_en.htm
>
Proposal for WTO textiles quota elimination.
EU News Trade, 26 October 2004
On 26 October 2004, the European Commission
adopted a proposal for the elimination
of the quotas applying on imports of textile
and clothing products from WTO countries.
The Commission proposed that EU customs
check until 31 March 2005 the respect
of 2004 quotas for textile products shipped
to the EU before the end of 2004. The
Commission also proposed the introduction
of an automatic import licensing system
for import of certain textile and clothing
products. This proposal will now be sent
to the EU member States for its adoption
so that quotas can be removed by 1st January
2005.
Accessed on 28 October 2004 < http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/sectoral/industry/textile/pr261004_en.htm
>
JAPAN
New overseas trade office in China.
JETRO News Update, October 2004
On 1 September 2004, Japan’s External
Trade Organization (JETRO) opened its
sixth office China, adding Qingdao to
its growing network of offices in China,
which already includes Beijing, Dalian,
Shanghai, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Located
in the heart of Shandong province, JETRO
Qingdao will offer Japanese and local
Chinese companies operating in the province
support on legal, trade and investment
matters and provide market information
on both China and Japan.
Accessed on October 2004 < http://www.jetro.go.jp/it/e/update/2004/oct.html
>
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Kyoto Protocol approved. UN
News, 22 October 2004
On 22 October 2004, the Russian Federation
approved the Kyoto Protocol on global
warming, clearing the way for the worldwide
adoption of the document. To enter into
force 55 Parties to the UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change must ratify the Protocol,
including developed countries whose combined
1990 emissions of carbon dioxide exceed
55 per cent of that group’s total.
Accessed on 25 October 2004 < http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=12311&Cr=kyoto&Cr1=protocol
>
TIMOR LESTE
Timor included in the EU GSP scheme.
Official Journal of the European Union,
22 October 2004
Effective from 25 October 2004, the EU
issued Commission Regulation (EC) No 1828/2004
of 21 October 2004 amending Council Regulation
(EC) No 2501/2001 applying a scheme of
generalised tariff preferences for the
period from 1 January 2002 to 31 December
2004 in order to include Timor Leste in
the list of countries enjoying the special
arrangements for the least developed countries.
Accessed on 26 October 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_321/l_32120041022en00230023.pdf
>
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Initiative to fight global trade in
fakes. U.S. Trade Representative,
10 October 2004
On 10 October 2004, the
Government of the U.S. announced a major
new government-wide initiative, the Strategy
Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) intended
to fight global trade in pirated and counterfeit
goods that affect the United States. economy
and consumers worldwide. The initiative
includes helping United States businesses,
inventors and innovators, particularly
small businesses secure their presence
in overseas markets, as well as further
securing the country's borders and marketplace
from fake goods. Accessed on 13 October
2004
http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/October/
VIET NAM
Bilateral deal with EU concluded.
EU Trade News, 9 October 2004
On 9 October 2004, Viet Nam and the EU concluded
a bilateral agreement for Viet Nam's accession
to the World Trade Organization (WTO) intended
to boost Viet Nam’s accession to the
multilateral organization. The deal covers
the commitments that Viet Nam will undertake
in goods and services once it accedes to
the WTO. The average tariff level that Viet
Nam will apply is around 16 per cent for
industrial goods, 22 per cent for fishery
products and 24 per cent for agricultural
goods. In services, Viet Nam will be taking
commitments in a large range of sectors
including transport, financial services,
postal and courier, construction, distribution,
environmental, professional and other business
services, telecommunications and tourism.
Accessed on 11 October 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/asem/pr091004_en.htm
>
B. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS AND CHARGES
AUSTRALIA
New export declaration system. Australia
Customs Service, 24 September 2004
On 6 October 2004, the transition period
to fulfill the new requirements for lodging
documentary export declarations for goods
exported from Australia concluded. From
6 October 2004 onwards all goods intended
to be exported from Australia with a value
of $A 2,000 (about US$ 1,500) or more must
be declared to Australian Customs Service
on an export declaration under the Integrated
Cargo System. Exceptions to this new system
are any goods that require a permit for
export that must be reported on an export
declaration regardless of value.
Accessed on 12 October 2004 http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4916
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Import duties in the cereals sector.
Official Journal of the European Union,
1 October 2004
Effective from 1 October 2004, the EU
approved commission regulation (EC) No.
1701/2004 fixing the import duties in
the cereals sector.
Accessed on 19 October 2004 from
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_305/l_30520041001en00280030.pdf
INDIA
Customs cooperation agreement with EU
approved. Official Journal of the
European Union, 30 September 2004
On 30 September 2004, the EU approved and
published the agreement between the EU and
India on customs cooperation and mutual
administrative assistance in customs matters.
To view the full text of the agreement,
please click on the following link -
E-India Customs Cooperation Agreement 2004.
Accessed on 19 October 2004 < http://europa.eu.int/cgi-bin/eur-lex/
>
PHILIPPINES
Tariffs on tuna exports to EU lowered.
US-ASEAN Business Council, 30 September
2004
The Government of the Philippines has announced
that the European Union (EU) has lowered
its tariff on imports of tuna products from
the Philippines, giving local producers
an improved competitive position in the
EU market. The EU will give lower duty treatment
for Philippine tunas in the next five years,
allowing in 9,000 metric tons of canned
tuna products with a duty of 12 per cent.
Tuna is a major product of fishery in the
Philippines, which exports tuna products
to Asian, European and North American markets.
Accessed on 8 October 2004 http://www.us-asean.org/headlines.asp
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Import duties on raw sugar to remain
stable. Interfax, 12 October
2004
The Government of the Russian Federation
has announced that import duties on raw
sugar will remain at US$ 180 per tonne
in November 2004, the same level of September
and October 2004. Duties were US$ 194
per tonne in August and US$ 206 in May-June
2004.
Accessed on 8 October 2004 <
http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/26.html?id_issue=10710468
>
SRI LANKA
Import duty on rice withdrawn.
Asia Business Daily, 7 October
2004
On 6 October 2004, the Government of Sri
Lanka announced the removal of RS9 import
duty on rice with immediate effect in
order to meet its domestic shortfall arising
out of bad paddy crop harvested by the
country this year. Initially, Government
has removed the import duty until 31 December
2004 but the measure could be extended
depending on the situation at that time.
Accessed on 11 October 2004 < http://www.asiabusinessdaily.com/
>
WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO)
Regional office in Asia Pacific inaugurated.
WCO News, 28 September 2004
On 28 September 2004, the WCO inaugurated
the Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity
Building (ROCB) in Bangkok (Thailand).
The ROCB has been launched in close cooperation
with the Thai Customs to promote the WCO
Capacity Building Strategy at regional
level. It is expected to assist members
in the Region in close cooperation with
the WCO Secretariat in Brussels (Belgium).
Accessed on 20 October 2004 < http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Press/WCO-%20ROCB-09.04-pict.htm
>
C. NON-TARIFF MEASURES
CHINA
Details on the administration of import
tariff quotas on certain wool, oil and sugar
products promulgated. Hong Kong
(China) Trade and Industry Department,
6 October 2004
On 29 September 2004, the Government of
China promulgated the ‘Implementation
Details on Administration of Import Tariff
Rate Quotas of Wool and Wool Tops in 2005’
and the ‘Distribution Details on Import
Tariff Rate Quotas of Palm Oil, Soybean
Oil, Rape-seed Oil and Sugar in 2005’.
Accessed on 11 October 2004
< http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/asia/2004/ci2412004.html
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Ban on imports of animal and meat products
from China terminated. China Ministry
of Commerce, 10 October 2004
On 18 October 2004, the European Union
announced the termination of its 20 month
suspension of animal and meat imports
from China. The ban was imposed on January
2002 and covered a wide array of products
such as shrimp, farmed fish, honey, royal
jelly and rabbit meat. The measure was
adopted for food safety reasons, particularly
because of the presence of residues of
veterinary medicines in food and animal
feed from China.
Accessed on 18 October 2004 < http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/200410/20041000292811_1.xml
>
‘De minimis’ aid for the
agriculture and fisheries sectors. EU
Press Release, 6 October 2004
On 6 October 2004, the EU adopted a regulation
concerning ‘de minimis’ aid
for the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The regulation exempts national aid of up
to Euro 3,000 per farmer and fisherman over
three years from the requirement of prior
notification. To avoid distortions of competition,
member States granting such aid will have
to respect an overall ceiling roughly equal
to 0.3 per cent of agricultural or fisheries
output.
Accessed on 13 October 2004
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1188
New models of official phytosanitary
certificates for re-export of plants from
third countries. Official Journal
of the European Union, 15 October
2004
On 15 October 2004, the EU issued Commission
Directive 2004/105/EC determining the models
of official phytosanitary certificates or
phytosanitary certificates for re-export
accompanying plants, plant products or other
objects from third countries and listed
in Council Directive 2000/29/EC. The member
States will accept certificates issued in
accordance with the models as specified
in this Directive until 31 December 2009.
Accessed on 20 October 2004 <http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_319/l_31920041020en00090014.pdf>
Tariff quotas for garlic imported
from third countries. Official
Journal of the European Union, 8
October 2004
Effective from 8 October 2004, the EU
has issued Commission Regulation (EC)
No. 1743/2004 opening and providing for
the administration of the autonomous tariff
quota for garlic imported from third countries.
The autonomous tariff quota of 4,400 tonnes
shall be opened from 1 September 2004
for imports of fresh or chilled garlic
falling within CN code 0703 20 00. The
ad valorem duty applicable to products
imported under the autonomous quota shall
be 9.6 per cent.
Accessed on 20 October 2004 < http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_311/l_31120041008en00190022.pdf
>
INDIA
Brazil removes anti dumping measures
against Indian jute exports. Ministry
of Commerce of India, 12 October
2004
The Brazilian government has terminated
the anti-dumping duty on import of jute
goods on five producer-exporters of jute
from India. Also, the Brazilian government
reduced the rate of anti-dumping duty
for other Indian companies from 38.8 per
cent to 27.8 per cent.
Accessed on 20 October 2004 < http://commerce.nic.in/Oct04_release.htm#h13
>
JAPAN
Beef imports from the U.S. resumed.
U.S. Department of State, 23 October
2004
On October 23 3002, Japan and the United
States of America announced that they
have agreed to temporarily resume beef
trade of cattle 20 months of age and younger,
easing a 10-month suspension of all beef
export from the United States into Japan.
Under the framework agreement, full beef
trade between the two countries could
resume after a July 2005 review of the
United States enhanced livestock surveillance
system.
Accessed on 20 October 2004
http://lists.state.gov/SCRIPTS/WA-USIAINFO.EXE?A2=ind0410d&L=WF-EASIA&D=0&P=3674
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Congress approves the repeal of the tax
breaks ruled illegal by the WTO. U.S.
Department of State, 12 October 2004
On 11 October 2004, the U.S. Congress
approved the repeal of the tax breaks
ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization
(WTO). The underlying goal of the legislation
is resolving a longstanding dispute with
the EU over U.S. tax breaks to exporters.
Under certain provisions, the income tax
on certain U.S. manufactured goods that
were exported has been reduced from the
ordinary 35 percent rate to 27-32 percent.
The WTO has ruled repeatedly that such
provisions violate international trade
rules on export subsidies and has authorized
the EU to impose up to US$ 4 billion in
retaliatory tariffs on exports from the
United States.
Accessed on 20 October 2004
<
http://lists.state.gov/SCRIPTS/WA-USIAINFO.EXE?A2=ind0410b&L=WF-EASIA&D=0&P=1730
>
New rules for imports of wood packaging
material. Hong Kong (China) Trade
and Industry Department, 22 September
2004
Effective on 16 September 2004, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture amended the
regulations for importation of unmanufactured
wood articles into the US, with a view
to adopting an international standard
entitled ‘Guidelines for Regulating
Wood Packaging Material (WPM) in International
Trade’ (ISPM guidelines). The final
rule adopted under the international ISPM
guidelines calls for WPM to be either
heat treated or fumigated with methyl
bromide, and marked with an approved international
mark certifying treatment.
Accessed on 20 October 2004
<http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/americas/2004/ci2332004.h
tml>
D. INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED INFORMATION
CHINA
Open source software deal with France.
Networking and Information Technology
Observatory, 11 October 2004
On 9 October 2004, China and France signed
an agreement to develop a new low-cost,
high-performance open source software platform
in the country. China is no stranger to
Linux and other open source software products.
The Institute of Software at the Chinese
Academy of Sciences released the 1.0 version
of Red Flag Linux in October 1999 and is
now up to v.4.0 for desktops and 4.1 for
servers.
Accessed on 19 October 2004 < http://www.sdnp.undp.org/perl/news/articles.pl?id=6998&do=gpage
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Forum on Corporate Governance set up.
EU Trade News, 18 October 2004
On 18 October 2004, the European Commission
announced the establishment of a European
Corporate Governance Forum to examine
best practices in member States. The Forum
is intended to enhance the convergence
of national corporate governance codes
and provide advice to the Commission.
Accessed on 19 October 2004
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1241
FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC)
New custody standards for wood tracking.
World Business Council for Sustainable
Development, 13 October 2004
The Forest Stewardship Council has launched
new chain of custody standards for manufacturers
tracking wood from forest to end product.
The standards introduce several innovative
concepts, including systems for tracking
and labeling the quantity of FSC-certified
material in products, improved control of
wood from uncertified forests, and the first
global scheme for identifying and verifying
recycled material.
Accessed on 19 October 2004 < http://www.wbcsd.org/includes/getTarget.asp?type=DocDet&id=10585
>
THAILAND
Government to support logistics industry.
Public Sector Technology and Management,
30 September 2004
The government of Thailand has announced
a programme to extend the use of online
forms to make the process of registering
imports and transshipments easier. Under
the new programme, the government will
develop a 'Single Windows Entry' system
that will provide e-forms for importers
and exporters. The initiative will be
developed over the next three years and
will involve a thorough reengineering
of work processes and reform of government
regulation
Accessed on http://www.pstm.net/article/index.php?articleid=373
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Support to SMEs to expand presence
in China. International Trade
Administration, 14 September 2004
On 14 September 2004, the Government of
the United States announced new tools
to help small and medium-sized exporter
companies in the country expand exports
to China's growing market. The new tools
are the China Business Information Center,
American Trade Centers and the Global
Supply Chain Initiative. For more details,
please refer to http://www.export.gov/china/
Accessed on 13 October 2004 < http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/PressReleases/0904/chinabic_0914.html
>
VIET NAM
Blueprint to leverage open source software.
Public Sector Technology and Management,
18 October 2004
The Vietnamese government is looking to
develop a pool of application development
expertise within the public sector to
lead the adoption of open software (OS)
applications within the bureaucracy. The
government's approach to OS software is
part of a wider four-year economic plan
to develop the country's IT industry.
Accessed on 26 October 2004 < http://www.pstm.net/article/index.php?articleid=391
>
Getting ready for phasing-out of MFA.
Asia Business Daily, 30 September
2004
In order to maintain and develop its garment
export markets, Viet Nam's Government
has recently announced new policy directions,
which involve expanding export markets,
boosting local production, and increasing
the proportion of processed as well as
locally-made components in export items.
After 1 January 2005, when the phase out
of the agreement on textile and clothing
takes place, WTO members will enjoy quota-free
trade, which is expected to pose great
challenges to non-member countries.
Accessed on 8 October 2004 < http://www.asiabusinessdaily.com/
>
Hanoi offers on-line business registration.
Viet Nam Economy News, 20 October
2004
The Hanoi Department of Planning and Investment
has launched an on-line registration service
for businesses. Investors can now conduct
on-line business registration for the
following types of companies: limited
liability companies, joint stock companies,
private companies and joint companies.
The on-line service is available at www.hapi.gov.vn
.
Accessed on 24 October 2004
< http://www.vneconomy.com.vn/eng/?param=article&catid=03&id=041020100733
>
WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
(WIPO)
Proposal of a development agenda for
WIPO. WIPO Press Release 396,
4 October 2004
On 4 October 2004, the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO) agreed to
further examine a proposal by a group
of developing countries to integrate in
a more systematic manner the development
dimension in all of WIPO's work. The proposal
calls for WIPO to ‘fully incorporate’
and to take immediate action in providing
for the incorporation of a ‘Development
Agenda’ in the Organization’s
work program. The proposal lists specific
actions to incorporate the development
dimension in WIPO’s various activities.
For full text of the proposal http://www.wipo.int/documents/en/document/govbody/wo_gb_ga/pdf/wo_ga_31_11.pdf
Accessed on 19 October 2004
< http://www.wipo.int/edocs/prdocs/en/2004/wipo_pr_2004_396.html
>
E. INVESTMENT-RELATED INFORMATION
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Investment Guarantee Facility
boosted. ABD News, 24 September
2004
On 24 September 2004, the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) approved a loan of US$ 5 million
and a US$ 10 million guarantee to help stimulate
private sector activity and attract foreign
direct investment in Afghanistan by cofinancing
an investment guarantee facility to provide
political risk guarantees to eligible investors
and financiers. The Afghanistan Investment
Guarantee Facility (AIGF) was set up on
July 2004 by the World Bank's Multilateral
Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and targets
investments in the small and medium enterprises
sector.
Accessed on 8 October 2004 < http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/2004/nr2004122.asp
>
BANGLADESH
ADB signs agreement with Bangladesh
bank for trade finance facilitation.
ADB News, 20 October 2004
On 20 October 2004, the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) signed a trade finance facilitation
agreement with local bank Southeast Bank
Ltd (SBL) in Dhaka (Bangladesh). SBL is
the first private sector bank in Bangladesh
to sign the facilities agreement with
ADB under Trade Finance Facilitation Program
(TFFP). The program has been designed
to develop and enhance the capability
of local banks to provide trade finance
products to private sector importers and
exporters to facilitate international
trade.
Accessed on 8 October 2004 < http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/BRM/brm-200415.asp
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Asian Trust Fund launched. ATF
News, 30 September 2004
On 21 September 2004, the European Union
and the International Trade centre (WTO/UNCTAD)
jointly launched the Asia Trust Fund (ATF)
as a practical instrument for quick delivery
of short-term, pragmatic, trade-related
technical assistance. The ATF demand-driven
and provides fast access to technical
expertise in order to respond to immediate
and urgent needs, as assessed by Asian
governments. For further details on the
ATF, please visit its website http://www.intracen.org/atf/
Accessed on 11 October 2004 < http://www.intracen.org/atf/
>
MULTILATERAL INVESTMENT GUARANTEE
AGENCY (MIGA)
Political risk insurance to Dutch investors.
MIGA News, 10 October 2004
On 4 October 2004, MIGA and the Government
of the Netherlands signed a Memorandum
of Understanding designed to enhance the
access of Dutch investors to political
risk insurance provided by MIGA, thereby
encouraging their continued involvement
in projects in developing countries. The
cooperation marks the first time in MIGA’s
history that a member state of MIGA decides
to reinsure the Agency for projects involving
its national companies.
Accessed on 21 October 2004 < http://www.miga.org/screens/news/press/100404.htm
>
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Privatization of strategic companies
underway. Interfax, 4 October
2004
The Government of the Russian Federation
has signed a resolution canceling a number
of legislative acts concerning strategic
companies that could not be privatized.
According to the document, the list of
companies and organizations in the defense
sector whose privatization was previously
forbidden no longer has legal force, nor
does the list of joint stock companies
that produce strategic products for national
security and whose federally owned shares
could not be sold before.
Accessed on 13 October 2004 < http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/26.html?id_issue=10708229
>
F. DID YOU KNOW THAT...?
…Australia and the Republic
of Korea have been recognized as ‘best
practices’ for national economic development?
The International Trade Centre (ITC) announced
first-time awards at the 5th World Conference
of Trade promotion organizations (TPOs)
in Malta. A panel looked into TPOs which
had developed results oriented, client-centred
solutions to the delivery of trade support
services since the last conference in Beijing
(China) two years ago. TPOs in Australia,
Bulgaria, Colombia, Jamaica, Republic of
Korea and Uganda received several awards
and international recognition for their
professional achievements and successes.
Read the full story from ITC
http://www.intracen.org/docman/PRSR5909.pdf
Accessed on 15 October 2004
….the Government of Singapore
will switch to open source software?
By 2006, the Ministry of Defense of the
Government of Singapore has announced
that 20,000 computers will use open source
productivity software. This decision will
make the Ministry of Defense of Singapore
the world's largest public agency to make
the switch to open source. The change
of policy is motivated by a desire to
reduce software expenditure and maintenance
costs.
Read the complete story from Public Sector
Technology and Management
http://www.pstm.net/article/index.php?articleid=396
Accessed on 19 October 2004
….Malaysia has overtaken
Hong Kong (China) as the benchmark on
corporate governance standards in Asia?
According to a comparative study into
corporate governance standards in five
major Asian economies Malaysia has ranked
first among five economies in the region.
The survey has looked at leading companies
listed on the respective stock exchanges
of Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Malaysia,
Thailand and Singapore. Issues studied
include board practices, disclosure, remuneration
and the independence of directors.
Read the complete story from The Ethical
Corporation
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=2809
Accessed on October 2004
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.
©2004 United Nations
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ISSUE
11/2004