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ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)
Best practices for RTAs and FTAs. United States Trade Representative, 22 November 2004
On 18 November 2004, at the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Santiago (Chile), APEC Ministers endorsed a three-stage initiative to strengthen the role of Regional Trade Agreements and Free Trade Agreements (RTAs/FTAs) in the APEC integration process. This initiative includes an overall APEC policy response, a set of clear transparency measures and a capacity building program. The ‘APEC Best Practices for RTAs and FTAs’ are intended to achieve high standard FTA/RTA agreements in the region, to ensure that RTAs/FTAs contribute to achieving the APEC Bogor Goals, and are consistent with the World Trade Organization.

APEC Best Practices for RTAs and FTAs are available at:
http://www.apec.org/apec/news___media/media_releases/191104_strgthnrtaftacontribapecgoals.html

Accessed on 25 November 2004 <http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2004/asset_upload_file49_6891.pdf >

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
New banana regime underway. Global Trade Negotiations, 29 October 2004
On 27 October 2004, the EU announced its plans to impose a duty of 230 euros (US$290) per ton of bananas when a new regime enters into force in 2006. The EU says the new level aims to prevent banana producers in ACP countries from losing business to larger growers in Latin America. According to the EU, ACP countries currently have a 20 per cent share of the EU banana market; EU producers also have 20 per cent, while Latin American producers dominate the market with 60 percent. The EU has been forced to review its banana regime after the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled in 1997 that the bloc's preferential banana import rules were discriminatory.
Accessed on 4 November 2004 < http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cidtrade/site/current.html >

Proposal on access to essential medicines for poor countries. EU Trade News, 29 October 2004
The European Commission has proposed a regulation to allow manufacturers of generic pharmaceuticals to produce patented medicines for export to ‘countries in need’ without sufficient capacity to produce them. Under the new regulation, the destination country must have notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it is seeking the medicine covered by the licence. There are no restrictions on the medicines and diseases to be covered and customs authorities will be able to prevent the re-importation into the EU of medicines produced under the system.
Accessed on 10 November 2004 < http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/global/medecine/pr291004_en.htm >

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (ISO)
ISO/ IEC help facilitate world trade. ISO Press Release, 17 November 2004
ISO, in collaboration with the International Electro Technical Commission (IEC), has launched two reference documents for conformity assessment designed to reduce technical barriers to trade and to prevent the emergence of new ones. The first "solution document" is a new standard ISO/IEC 17000:2004, Conformity assessment - Vocabulary and general principles. The second document is ISO/IEC Guide 60:2004, Conformity assessment - Code of good practice. These two documents are intended to be used in conjunction with, or when preparing, ISO/IEC International Standards or Guides relating to conformity assessment, and also to support the implementation of the World Trade Organization's Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement (WTO TBT).
Accessed on 19 November 2004 < http://www.iso.ch/iso/en/commcentre/pressreleases/2004/Ref943.html >

ISO/IEC new standard for "one-stop accreditation". ISO Press Release, 15 November 2004
ISO, in collaboration with International Electro Technical Commission (IEC), has launched a new international standard, which aims to harmonize requirements worldwide for organizations that assess the competence of "conformity assessment" bodies. The new standard will provide a global benchmark for "accreditations bodies" to ensure that they operate in a consistent, comparable and reliable manner worldwide.
Accessed on 19 November 2004 < http://www.iso.ch/iso/en/commcentre/pressreleases/2004/Ref941.html >

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
NTR with the United States of America closer. United States of America Department of State, 19 November 2004
On 19 November 2004, the Senate of the United States of America gave final passage to a bill that would extend normal trade relations (NTR), otherwise known as most-favoured nation status, to Lao PDR. Extending NTR to Lao PDR would bring into force the 1997 U.S.-Lao PDR trade agreement. Lao PDR remains one of only four countries worldwide and the only least-developed country to which the United States has not granted NTR.
Accessed on 22 November 2004
<http://usinfo.state.gov/>

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Terms for bilateral competition dialogue with the EU. EU Trade News, 28 October 2004
On 28 October, the Republic of Korea and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding on a dialogue on competition between the two countries. The primary objective of the competition policy dialogue is to establish a permanent forum of consultation, transparency and cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the EU in this area.
Accessed on 10 November 2004
<http://europa.eu.int/rapid/ >

VIET NAM
Report of draft trade law presented. Viet Nam News Agency, 5 November 2004
On 5 November 2004, the Government of Viet Nam presented a report on a draft Trade Law (revised). The top priority in revising the Trade Law is to make it more compatible with international rules and the multilateral system. The draft law addresses two new issues of commodity trade and service supply, covering four more activities, namely goods in transit through Viet Nam and related services, the lease of commodity, commodity trade through trading bureaus, and trade rights transfer. The concept of ‘commodity’ in the draft is expanded to cover movables, even those to be formed in the future such as unborn animals and yet-to-harvest farming products, or things related to land and property rights. The draft also includes a new concept of ‘information message’ to provide legal basis for e-trade activities.
Accessed on 10 November 2004
< http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=30&NEWS_ID=125532 >

WTO accession raises poverty concerns. Oxfam News, 1 November 2004
On 1 November 2004, Oxfam launched a report on Viet Nam's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) arguing that although it could bring positive gains, these gains might be undermined if the present system of accession and negotiations in the WTO prevails. According to the report, WTO accession should take the specific situations of developing and poor countries into account. Under the current system, not only must an aspirant country such as Viet Nam comply with all existing WTO rules, they must also concede to ‘WTO-plus’ demands from rich countries in return for support for their application.

Oxfam report is available at < http://www.oxfam.org/eng/pdfs/bp67_Viet_%20Nam_041004.pdf >

Accessed on 16 November 2004 < http://www.oxfam.org/eng/pr041101_wto_vietnam.htm >

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
Cotton sub-committee established. WTO News, 19 November 2004
On 19 November 2004, WTO members set up a body to focus on cotton as a specific issue in the agriculture talks, as required in the 1 August 2004 decision known as “July Package”. The agreement to create a body to focus specifically on cotton was proposed by Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali.
Accessed on 24 November 2004 <http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/sub_committee_19nov04_e.htm>

Launch of negotiations on trade facilitation. WTO News, 15 November 2004
On 15 November 2004, WTO members agreed on a work plan and a schedule of meetings of the Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation. The approved agenda of the Negotiating Group includes the clarification and improvement of relevant aspects of Articles V, VIII and X of the GATT 1994; the enhancement of technical assistance and support for capacity building; effective cooperation between customs or any other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues.
Accessed on 17 November 2004 < http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/tradefac_15nov_e.htm >

SRI LANKA
Changes in the customs duties. Sri Lanka Department of Customs, 10 November 2004
Effective from 19 November 2004, the Government of Sri Lanka has announced changes in the customs duty. Rates under "Ind" are for imports from India only under India Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. The rates under "Gen" are general rates.

The new customs duties are available at
http://www.customs.gov.lk/slcnews/Articles/Customs%20Duty%20Changes%20-%20Budget%202005.zip

Accessed on 23 November 2004 < http://www.customs.gov.lk/slcnews/Articles/RPO03_2004.htm >

THAILAND
FTA with ASEAN on vegetables and fruits approved. Viet Nam News Agency, 17 November 2004
The Government of Thailand has approved the Free Trade Agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China regarding tax reductions for additional vegetables and fruits. The agreement provides for taxes on these two items to be reduced to zero per cent over a five-year period. The application of the new tax policies will begin on 1 July 2005, and each member country will be undertaking tax adjustments over the following five years.
Accessed on 23 November 2004
http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=33&NEWS_ID=127203

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Exemptions to the extension of anti-dumping duty on bicycles originating in China. Official Journal of the European Union, 18 November 2004
On 18 November 2004, the EU issued a decision granting certain parties an exemption from the extension to certain bicycle parts of the anti-dumping duty on bicycles originating in China and lifting the suspension of the payment of the anti-dumping duty extended to certain bicycle parts originating in China.
Accessed on 23 November 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_343/l_34320041119en00230027.pdf >

Extension of definitive anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of PET film originating in India to imports of PET film consigned from Brazil and Israel. Official Journal of the European Union, 18 November 2004
On 15 November 2004, the EU approved council regulation (EC) No 1975/2004 and council regulation (EC) No 1976/2004 extending the definitive anti-dumping duty (53,3 per cent) and the definitive countervailing duty (19,1 per cent), respectively, on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film originating, inter alia, in India to imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film consigned from Brazil and from Israel, whether declared as originating in Brazil or Israel or not.
Accessed on 25 November 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_342/l_34220041118en00010007.pdf >
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_342/l_34220041118en00080014.pdf >

INDIA
Pre-shipment inspection of imports of unshredded scrap mandatory. India Ministry of Commerce, 25 October 2004
On 25 October 2004, the Government of India made pre-shipment inspection of cargo through approved certifying agencies mandatory for all future consignments of unshredded scrap. Under the new measure, imports of unshredded scrap will now only be allowed through designated ports. Shipping companies are advised to load cargo in the vessel only with pre-shipment inspection certificates, wherever necessary.
Accessed on 10 November 2004 < http://commerce.nic.in/Oct04_release.htm#h29 >

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Eligibility of Azerbaijan for GSP program under review. U.S. Federal Register, Vol. 69, No. 204, 5 November 2004
On 5 November 2004, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued a notice announcing the initiation of a review to consider the designation of Azerbaijan as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program and soliciting public comment relating to the designation criteria. Comments are due on 10 December 2004.
Accessed on 23 November 2004
< http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-24776.pdf >

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
SPS special treatment measures. WTO News, 28 October 2004
On 2 November 2004, the WTO issued a decision on special treatment (document G/SPS/33 of 2 November 2004) which strengthens importing countries’ commitments to provide an opportunity for exporting developing countries to seek revisions or ask for technical assistance when new or revised measures affecting imports are proposed or introduced. Whatever additional “special and differential treatment” is then agreed will be publicized as a supplement (or “addendum”) to the document that originally announced the new measure. The decision applies to all areas covered by the WTO agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures.
Accessed on 10 November 2004 < http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/sps_27_28_oct04_e.htm >

Transition period for the elimination of export subsidy programmes extended. WTO News, 4 November 2004
On 4 November 2004, the WTO Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures extended by another year, that is until end 2005, the transition period for the elimination of export subsidy programmes of 19 developing countries. Under the “fast-track” procedures agreed under the WTO, the Subsidies Committee may grant annual extension to these countries until end 2007, subject to annual review of transparency and standstill obligations. These countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Jamaica, Jordan, Mauritius, Panama, Papua New Guinea, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Uruguay.
Accessed on 17 November 2004 < http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/sub_committee_04nov04_e.htm >

CHINA
Amendments to the Corporate Law promulgated. China Ministry of Commerce, 4 November 2004
On 4 November 2004, the Government of China promulgated the amendments to the Corporate Law that were adopted on 28 August 2004. The amendments came into effect on 4 November 2004, the same day of the promulgation.
Accessed on 10 November 2004 < http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/200411/20041100299921_1.xml >

State farms tighten links with ASEAN countries. ASEAN Press Release, 3 November 2004
Chinese state farms signed contracts worth a total of 16.5 billion yuan (US$ 2 billion) at the China-ASEAN Expo held in southern China's Nanning city. Statistics show China has 2,000 state farms, covering an area of 38 million hectares (94 acres) of land. A total of 12.4 million people live on these farms. In 2003, the state farms registered a gross domestic product of 100 billion yuan (US$ 12.04 billion), while export volume of the farms reached 13.9 billion yuan (US$ 1.67 billion).
Accessed on 12 November 2004 < http://www.aseansec.org/afp/80.htm >

INDIA
Global Forum on business incubation. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, October 2004
From 14 to 19 October 2004, the FICCI together with Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Information for Development Program (InfoDev) organized a Global Forum on Business Incubation. The forum called for national and regional governments to create and sustain environments and policies conducive to the sustainable growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, by concrete measures such as the establishment of incubation funds. It also called for the growth of the 'Global Network on Business Incubation for Development' and the fostering of international co-operation and trade facilitation.
Accessed on November 2004 < http://www.ficci.com/ficciimage/88888888_582/SECTOR.doc >

Trade grievance redressal committee established. Indian Ministry of Commerce, 29 October 2004
The government of India has constituted a Grievance Redressal Committee in order to improve the efficiency of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade as a facilitator of India’s exports and imports. This new mechanism is intended to facilitate speedy redressal of grievances of the trade and industry sector, which would hopefully reduce prolonged and unnecessary litigations fostering a relationship of partnership between the Indian government and the national trade industry.
Accessed on 11 November 2004 < http://commerce.nic.in/Oct04_release.htm#h29 >

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP)
Companies lag behind in non-financial reporting. UNEP Press Release, 1 November 2004
UNEP has launched the report ‘Risk and Opportunity: Best Practice in Non-Financial Reporting’, which shows that companies are failing to disclose to financial investors how environmental and social issues pose strategic risks and opportunities for their businesses. According to the study, only three reports of the top 50 companies assess the balance sheet implications of key environmental and social risks.
Accessed on 10 November 2004
< http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=412&ArticleID=4669&l=en >

VIET NAM
New projects on the fisheries sector announced. Viet Nam News Agency, 5 November 2004
The Viet Nam Ministry of Fisheries has announced a list of 14 fishery projects prioritized to receive official development assistance funds for the 2006-2010 period. These projects will involve nearly US$ 700 million. The announced projects are aimed at developing aquaculture, accelerating poverty reduction, strengthening management capacity and increasing the fisheries veterinary quality. They are also designed to restructure coastal sea exploitation, manage the environment, ensure safety for aquatic produce, establish an observatory system and raise off-shore fishing efficiency.
Accessed on 11 November 2004
< http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=30&NEWS_ID=125553 >

Viet Nam joins the Green Tea Association. Viet Nam Economy News, 4 November 2004
On 4 November 2004, Viet Nam became a full member of the World Green Tea Association, which was set up under the initiative of Japan. The aim of the association is to maximize the strength of the participating countries' tea cultivation, production, processing, and tea culture potentials.
Accessed on 17 November 2004 <http://www.vneconomy.com.vn/eng/?param=article&catid=01&id=041104105121>

* The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Growth Area or BIMP-EAGA initiative was launched by the governments of the four countries in 1994 with the objective to hasten, through regional cooperation, the development of the economy of Brunei and subregions of the three other countries.

Accessed on 23 November 2004
< http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2004/6269_bimb_database/default.asp?RegistrationID=3685 >

CHINA
Hong Kong (China) commercial credit reference agency launched. Xinhua News, 26 October 2004
On 23 October 2004, the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB), the DTC Association (DTCA), the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Dun and Bradstreet (HK) Ltd. (D & B) jointly launched a Commercial Credit Reference Agency (CCRA) in Hong Kong (China). The CCRA will gather information about the indebtedness and credit history of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and make such information available to members of HKAB and DTCA for the purpose of granting, reviewing or renewing SME's credit.
Accessed on 4 November 2004 < http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-10/26/content_2142288.htm >

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Energy facility for ACP countries established. EU News, 28 October 2004
On 28 October 2004, the EU adopted a proposal to set up a € 250 million Energy Facility to increase access to modern energy services for people in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). The proposed facility is designed to promote energy initiatives, provide information and build research and management capacity in ACP countries. Accessed on 3 November 2004
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/

INDIA
Relaxation of ACU mechanism for trade with Myanmar. Reserve Bank of India, 19 November 2004
On 19 November 2004, the Government of India announced the revision of the Memorandum of Procedure for channeling transaction through Asian Clearing Union (ACU) to allow trade transactions with Myanmar to be settled in any freely convertible currency in addition to the ACU mechanism. Necessary amendments to the Foreign Exchange Management Regulations (2000) are being issued separately.
Accessed on 23 November 2004
http://www.rbi.org.in/index.dll/

VAT to start on April 2005. Indian Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, 6 November 2004
On 6 November 2004, the Government of India announced the implementation of the value added tax (VAT) starting from 1 April 2005. For the time being, items subject to the additional excise duty are to be kept out of the VAT imposed by the states, which covers millions of small retailers.
Accessed on 17 November 2004 < http://www.ficci.com/ficciimage/88888888_604/vat.doc >

THAILAND
World Bank declares Nam Theun 2 project viable. World Bank Press Review, 8 November 2004
The World Bank has declared that the Nam Theun 2 (NT2) ‘Super Dam’ hydroelectric project is economically viable given the guaranteed power purchases from Thailand, according to the initial findings of a consulting team. The review of the project became necessary after the price of oil changed dramatically after the dam developer and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand signed a purchase agreement a year ago. The project is scheduled to begin production in 2009.
Accessed on 16 November 2004
<http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,date:11-08-2004~menuPK:34461~pagePK:34392~piPK:34427~theSitePK:4607,00.html#Story1 >

VIET NAM
New regulations on foreign enterprises, State companies and telecommunications sector. Viet Nam Economy News, 8 November 2004
On foreign enterprises:
The Government of Viet Nam has issued Circular No 98/2004/TT-BTC of 19 October 2004 guiding the implementation of the Government Decree No 42/2001/ND-CP of 1 August 2001 that details a number of articles of the Business Insurance Law. According to the new circular, foreign insurance and insurance-brokering enterprises that wish to open their representative offices in Viet Nam must send dossiers of application for permission to the Ministry of Finance (MoF). Within 30 days of receiving the dossiers, the MoF will grant permits. In the case of a permit refusal, the ministry must clearly state the reasons in writing. Within seven days of being granted the permit, enterprises must pay a processing fee of VND 1 million (US$ 65).
Accessed on 17 November 2004 <http://www.vneconomy.com.vn/eng/?param=article&catid=16&id=041108145318>

On State companies:
The Government of Viet Nam has issued Decree No 180/2004/ND-CP of 28 October 2004 on establishment, re-organization and dissolution of State companies. The new decree stipulates that new State companies (independent State companies and State corporations) may be established only in several branches, domains and geographical areas, such as the national electric transmission system; national and international information networks; production of cigarettes; water drainage in large urban centres; urban lighting; and processing of petroleum.
Accessed on 17 November 2004 <http://www.vneconomy.com.vn/eng/?param=article&catid=16&id=041108145318>

… FAO/WHO offer new food-safety training tools for developing countries?
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have announced three new training packages designed to help these countries improve their capacity to meet the standards and improve food safety. The training packages are intended to enable developing countries to analyze their own food safety capacity building needs, develop the expertise needed to utilize a science-based risk analysis process and improve the quality of their participation in the Codex Alimentarius process.

Read the complete story from FAO
< http://www.fao.or.th/GF2_Food_Safety_Training.htm >
Accessed on 17 November 2004

… the Confederation of the Brazilian Chambers of Commerce has launched a "Social Market"?
The new market is designed to raise capital for projects that seek to contribute to the sustainable development of Brazil. Five projects have been selected for the auction with a target investment of R$100 thousand (US$30,000) per project. The projects range from the production of dry tomatoes to the manufacturing and cleaning of hospital clothing. It is estimated that during the first year, 340 jobs will be created.

Read the complete story from the Global Compact
<http://www.unglobalcompact.org/irj/servlet/prt/>
Accessed on 16 November 2004

… Thailand's papaya is the subject of a heated debate on GM crops?
The issue was taken up at the Third World Conservation Congress, a global environment conference held by the World Conservation Union from 17 to 25 November 2004, in Bangkok (Thailand). The conference brought together 81 states, 114 government agencies, 800-plus non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries. GM papaya is genetically engineered to be resistant to the ringspot virus by cutting a gene from the ringspot virus and forcing it into papaya cell. Virus and bacteria resistant to antibiotics are also added, which is why skeptics are concerned about human health risks from the build-up of such resistance.

Read the complete story from Asia Times
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/FK16Ae01.html
Accessed on 16 November 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.