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Welcome to E-TISNET Monthly News to
keep you abreast of the latest developments
on trade and investment in 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
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
(ASEAN)
Plan to enhance trade and investment
linkages with the EU. Bernama News
Agency, 23 January 2004
On 20 January 2004, at the fourth ASEAN
Economic Ministers-European Union consultation
meeting, ASEAN member countries and the
European Union endorsed the roadmap for
the implementation of the Trans-Regional
EU-ASEAN Trade Initiative (TREATI). The
proposed areas of cooperation include trade
facilitation and promotion, investment,
technical barriers to trade, sanitary and
phytosanitary measures, customs cooperation
and tourism.
Accessed on 25 January 2004 from<http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=41588
>
BANGLADESH
Trade and economic ties with Indonesia
reinforced. Sustainable Development
Networking Programme, 24 January
2004
On 24 January 2004, Bangladesh and Indonesia
signed four agreements and memorandum
of understandings to boost trade, economic
and cultural ties between the two countries.
The agreements aim at further develop
trade ties and expand and diversify the
commercial exchange of trade cooperation.
Indonesia agreed to give duty free access
to 23 Bangladeshi commodities to Indonesian
market.
Accessed on 29 January 2004 from<http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/news/general-news/January-2004/25-01-2004/Business.htm
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
On-line helpdesk for exporters in developing
countries. European Commission
- DG Trade,
2 February 2004
On 2 February 2004, the EU launched a
new information service on EU import tariffs
and preferences, trade statistics, rules
of origin and customs documentation. The
information provided by the new service
will be enlarged during the coming year
to include product specific technical
and sanitary requirements including marking
and labelling requirements and information
on internal taxes applicable in the individual
member states.
Accessed on 3 February 2004 from<http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/global/development/pr020204_en.htm>
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC
OF KOREA
European business chamber opens in
Korea DPR. The Financial Times,
14 January 2004
The European chamber of commerce has opened
in Korea DPR to help European businesses
gain access to the country’s market.
The European chamber has been established
to support trade and investment between
Korea DPR and the European Union and provide
training to officials and students from
Korea DPR.
Last accessed on 15 January 2004 from
<http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1073281009017&p=1012571727169>
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
New agricultural trade offices in China
and the Philippines. United States
Department of State,
13 January 2004
On 13 January 2004, the United Sates Department
of Agriculture (USDA) announced the opening
of new agricultural trade offices in China
and the Philippines. USDA agricultural
trade offices provide foreign buyers with
timely communication with potential suppliers
in the United States and assist exporters
in launching products in foreign markets.
Last accessed on 15 January 2004 from
<http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=January&x=20040113173411kaisn0.5840265&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html>
B. CUSTOM REGULATIONS AND CHARGES
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Import duties in the cereal sector.
Official Journal of the European Union,
16 January 2004
With effect from 17 January 2004, the EU
approved commission regulation (EC) No.
83/2004 fixing the import duties in the
cereals sector.
Accessed on 20 January 2004 from <http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_012/l_01220040117en00440046.pdf>
Import duties in the rice sector.
Official Journal of the European Union,
28 January 2004
With effect from 29 January 2004, the
EU approved commission regulation (EC)
No. 153/2004 fixing the import duties
in the rice sector.
Accessed on 30 January 2004 from <http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_024/l_02420040129en00550057.pdf>
INDIA
Duty on goods under the Bangkok Agreement
reduced. Central Board of Excise
and Customs,
8 January 2004
With effect on 9 January 2004, the Government
of India has announced the reduction of
duty on goods covered under the Bangkok
Agreement and the Preferential Areas Agreement
in line with reduction in most-favored-nation
rates
Accessed on 20 January 2004 from <http://www.cbec.gov.in/cae/customs/cs-act/notifications/notfns-2k4/cs10-2k4.htm>
Peak rate of customs duty reduced.
Central Board of Excise and Customs,
8 January 2004
With effect from 9 January 2004, the Government
of India has announced the reduction of
the customs rate on all goods other than
agricultural commodities from 25 to 20
per cent.
Accessed on 20 January 2004 from <http://www.cbec.gov.in/cae/js-notfns/cs5-2k4.doc
>
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Import duty on alumina temporarily
suspended. Interfax Information
Service Group,
30 January 2004
On 30 January 2004, the Government of
the Russian Federation announced the suspension
of the 5 per cent-import duty on alumina
for a period of nine months. The suspension
takes effect a month after its official
publication.
Accessed on 3 February 2004 from <http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/26.html?id_issue=8181189>
C. NON-TARIFF MEASURES
AUSTRALIA
New import control on asbestos. Australian
Customs, Notice No. 2004/03,
14 January
2004
The Government of Australia has issued notice
No. 2004/04 amending regulation 4C of the
prohibited imports regulations in order
to restrict imports of asbestos and goods
containing asbestos. Asbestos are divided
into two categories: amphibole asbestos
and chrysotile. The specific goods covered
by this measure are listed in attachment
A of the referred notice.
Accessed on 20 January 2004 from<http://www.customs.gov.au/resources/notices/ACN0403.pdf>
CHINA
Measures on quarantine supervision
of imported and exported wood packaging
material.
Hong Kong (China) Trade and Industry
Department, 8 January 2004
On 8 January 2004, the Government of China
announced its decision to amend the existing
provisions on quarantine requirement of
imported and exported wood packaging material.
As a result, the government has drafted
administrative measures on quarantine
supervision of imported wood packaging
material, as well as administrative measures
on quarantine supervision of exported
wood packaging material.
Accessed on 16 January 2004 from<http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/asia/2004/ci052004.html>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
More time to introduce the new quota
system in the sugar sector. Official
Journal of the European Union, 10
January 2004
On 9 January 2004, the European Commission
amended regulation (EC) No. 314/2002 laying
down detailed rules for the application
of the quota system in the sugar sector
in order to give the authorities of the
member states more time to introduce management
and inspection measures related to the
new provisions, which will apply from
1 February 2004.
Accessed on 15 January 2004 from<http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_006/l_00620040110en00130015.pdf>
Countervailing duty on cotton-type
bed linen from India. Official
Journal of the European Union,
17
January 2004
On 13 January 2004, the European Commission
issued regulation (EC) No. 74/2004 imposing
a definitive countervailing duty on imports
of cotton-type bed linen originating in
India. Under the new regulation, a definitive
countervailing duty has been imposed on
imports of bed linen of cotton fibres,
pure or mixed with man-made fibres or
flax (flax not being the dominant fibre),
bleached, dyed or printed originating
in India.
Accessed on 15 January 2004 from<http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_012/l_01220040117en00010029.pdf>
INDIA
Licensing restrictions for electricity
imports waived. Directorate General
of Foreign Trade of India, 28 January
2003
On 28 January 2004, the Government of
India issued the summary of the Export
and Import Bank (EXIM) facilitation measures
under the EXIM policy for 2003-2004 where
it notified that electricity imports are
no longer subject to licensing restrictions.
This decision is intended to enable power
companies in India to obtain supplies
from neighbouring countries.
Accessed on 29 January 2004 from<http://164.100.9.245/exim/2000/28012004/summ2004.htm
>
INDONESIA
Ban on imports of non-new capital goods.
Indonesia National Agency for Export
Development,
7 January 2004
With effect from 1 January 2004 and until
31 December 2005, the Indonesian Government
has banned imports of the non-new capital
goods, including photocopy machines (HS
9009); motorcycle and bicycle spare parts
(HS 8714); non-motorized tricycles (HS
8712); automotive vehicles for loading
goods (HS 8704); single or double-axis
hand tractors (HS 8701.10.200); colored
and non-colored television tubes (HS 8540);
and electric panels (HS 8537), among other
goods.
Accessed on 15 January 2004 from<http://www.nafed.go.id/news/index.php?artc=944>
MYANMAR
Myanmar imposes ban on rice exports.
US-ASEAN Business Council, 14
January 2004
With effect from 1 January 2004, the Government
of Myanmar has imposed a six-month ban
on rice exports in an attempt to keep
prices down in the national market. The
six-month ban is also applied to chilies,
onions, sesame and maize, which are all
classified as essential foods by the government.
Accessed on 15 January 2004 from<http://www.us-asean.org/headlines.asp>
VIET NAM
Quotas on imported goods for 2004.
Viet Nam Trade Information Centre,
29 December 2003
The Government of Viet Nam released import
quotas for the year 2004, which include
material tobacco, salt, cotton, condensed
material milk, uncondensed material milk,
ground corn and poultry egg. Of these
seven products, quotas were specified
for two of them, namely material tobacco
(22,397 tons) and salt (200,000 tons).
Quotas imposed on the remaining items
will be determined as per demand.
Accessed on 22 January 2004 from<http://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/asemvn/asps/news.asp?idnews=5530&tuan=52>
D. INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED INFORMATION
CHINA
Business Council for Sustainable Development
established. World Business Council
for Sustainable Development, 17 January
2004
On January 16 2004, the Government of China
launched the China Business Council for
Sustainable Development (CBCSD) in Beijing
following the signing of a memorandum of
understanding between the China Enterprise
Confederation and the World Business Council
for Sustainable Development. The CBCSD aims
to encourage the Chinese business community
to implement sustainable business practices
in China by providing a forum for exchange
and cooperation.
Accessed on 15 January 2004 from<http://www.wbcsd.org/includes/getTarget.asp?type=DocDet&id=3652
>
First world wide-band launched in
Beijing. China’s Ministry
of Commerce, 14 January 2004
On 13 January 2004, the Government of
China opened the first world wide-band
net in Beijing in collaboration with the
Russian Federation and the United States
of America. The net starts in Chicago
and runs across the Atlantic Ocean to
Amsterdam. In the east, it goes through
Moscow and Siberia reaching Beijing before
going back to Chicago via Hong Kong, China
and the Pacific Ocean. The web is transmitted
by fiber optical cable, with the speed
of 155 megabits per second, which is more
than 10 times the speed of present wide
band in household.
Accessed on 15 January 2004 from<http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/200401/20040100170984_1.xml>
Quality mark for silk introduced.
Hong Kong (China) Trade Development
Centre, 2 February 2004
Starting on April 2004, the China Silk
Association has announced the introduction
of a quality mark to be used on all fine
silk scarves, ties and garments. The launch
of the quality mark for silk is intended
help Chinese silk enterprises strengthen
their brand awareness and move towards
branding. It is an important step marking
China’s will to shift from a volume
to a quality silk producer.
Accessed on 3 February 2004 from<http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/cba-e0402news1.htm
>
INDIA
Exporters sign a memorandum with Kazakhstan
Chamber. Federation of Indian
Export Organizations, January 13
2004
The Federation of Indian Export Organizations
signed a memorandum of understanding with
the Union Chamber of Commerce and Industry
of Kazakhstan to strengthen trade co-operation
between the two countries.
Accessed on 15 January 2004 from<http://www.fieo.com/pressreleases/view_selected_press.php?delhiinfo=125>
MONGOLIA
First ADB’s report on the private
sector. Asian Development Bank,
28 January 2004
On 28 January 2004, the Asian Development
Bank presented a draft survey of Mongolia's
private sector. The report discusses the
role of government in promoting private
sector development, and highlights performance
and prospects for different sectors of
the economy.
Accessed on 29 January 2004 from
<http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2004/4206_Mongolia_Private_Sector_Assessment/default.asp>
NEPAL
Joint business council with Bangladesh
established. Nepal News,
28 January 2004
On 23 January 2004, the Federation of
Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry
and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers
of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum
of understanding to establish a joint
business council to promote bilateral
trade. The main objective of the new council
is to reinforce trade and economic ties
between the two countries, enhance investment
and promote tourism.
Accessed on 29 January 2004 from<http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2004/jan/arc_jan04_32.htm#9>
NEW ZEALAND
Access to investment for SMEs.
New Zealand Trade Economic Development
Agency, 3 December 2003
The New Zealand Trade and Economic Development
Agency launched the Escalator Service
to help entrepreneurs and small to medium
sized companies to access investment.
The new service replaces the former Investment
Ready Scheme and it is targeted at entrepreneurs
and small to medium sized enterprises
with growth potential and a need for additional
investment to expand, diversify or commercialize
a new concept.
Accessed on 16 January 2004 from<http://www.nzte.govt.nz/article/0,1973,SectionID%253D11894%2526ContentID%253D8563,00.html>
PHILIPPINES
ADB supports Philippine private sector
development. Asian Development
Bank, 13 January 2004
The Asian Development Bank has approved
US$ 200 million equivalent for a peso
swap and financing facility for the Philippines.
The 15-year facility is intended to provide
long-term peso-denominated loans to selected
banks for on lending to a variety of businesses
dependent on peso revenues. The project
will assist final borrowers meet their
long term funding needs and boost their
financial viability by avoiding currency
and maturity mismatches. Targeted sectors
include environment, housing, infrastructure,
manufacturing, small and medium enterprises
and transport.
Accessed on 19 January 2004 from<http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/2004/nr2004004.asp
>
VIET NAM
New laws to become effective from July
2004. Viet Nam Ministry of Finance,
26 December 2003
The Government of Viet Nam has announced
enactment of new laws, which will come
into effect on 1 July 2004. The new laws
include the Construction Law, the Co-operative
Law and the State Corporate Law.
Accessed on 16 January 2004 from<http://www.mof.gov.vn/DefaultE.aspx?tabid=356&ItemID=5625>
E. INVESTMENT-RELATED INFORMATION
BANGLADESH
Web-database on banks and financial institutions
launched. The Bangladesh Observer,
29 January 2004
Bangladesh Association of Banks has launched
an online database on banks and financial
institutions. As a new addition to the web-portal
on education and daily needs, this database
offers financial news, economic reports
and contact details of relevant banks and
financial institutions in the country.
Accessed on 16 January 2004 from<http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com//new/2004/01/29/economic.htm
>
CHINA
Administrative rules on the establishment
of foreign invested export purchasing
centres.
Hong Kong (China) Trade and Industry
Department, 8 January 2004
The Government of China has promulgated
administrative rules on the set-up of
foreign invested export purchasing centres.
According to the new rules, foreign investors
are allowed to set up wholly-owned or
joint-venture export purchasing centres.
Accessed on 16 January 2004 from <http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/asia/2004/ci092004.html>
MULTILATERAL INVESTMENT GUARANTEE
AGENCY (MIGA)
MIGA launches online FDI promotion
center. The IPAnet Briefing, Volume
7, Issue 1, January 2004
On 29 January 2004, MIGA launched its
latest online service, the foreign direct
investment (FDI) promotion center- http://www.fdipromotion.com.
The FDI promotion center is a free knowledge-sharing
and learning resource for investment promotion
practitioners, offering tools, reference
guides and other best practice resources.
It is designed to accommodate all levels
of practitioners and covers a broad range
of topics and disciplines related to investment
promotion.
Accessed on 29 January 2004 from<http://www.miga.org/screens/news/press/012904.htm>
MIGA simplifies guarantee contracts.
The IPAnet Briefing, Volume 7, Issue
1, January 2004
With effect from 1 January 2004, MIGA
has simplified its guarantee contracts.
The measure aims at reducing the turnaround
time for executing policies. Clients will
now receive new guarantee applications
that are easier to complete and use simplified
language.
Accessed on 29 January 2004 from<http://www.miga.org/screens/news/whatsnew/newguaranteecontract.htm>
SINGAPORE
Industrial land sales programme for
the first half of 2004. Singapore
Ministry of Trade and Industry, 5
January 2004
On 5 January 2004, the Government of Singapore
announced its intention to continue to
make industrial sites available for sale
through the reserve list for the first
half of 2004. For this period, a total
of eight sites will be made available
on the reserve list, two more than in
2003.
Accessed on 16 January 2004 from<http://www.mti.gov.sg/public/NWS/frm_NWS_Default.asp?sid=38&cid=1905>
THAILAND
Bilateral payment arrangement with
Bangladesh. EXIM Thailand,
15 January 2004
Export-Import Bank of Thailand signed
a bilateral payment arrangement with the
Janata Bank of Bangladesh. The two government-appointed
banks have agreed to set up an account
settlement system under which they guarantee
payment of all types of export goods of
Thai or Bangladeshi origin, respectively.
In the initial stage, a credit line of
US$ 5 million has been established covering
non-payment risks for letter of credit
at sight transaction.
Accessed on 22 January 2004 from<http://www.exim.go.th/eng/newsroom/news_detail.asp?tran_ID=47000001021>
VIET NAM
New guidelines on the restructuring
of foreign-invested companies. Viet
Nam Trade Information Centre, 12
January 2004
The government of Viet Nam has released
circular No. 08/2003/TTLT-BKH-BTC guiding
the implementation of some of the regulations
in decree No. 38/2003/ND-CP on the restructuring
of a number of foreign-invested companies
into joint stock companies. Some of the
foreign-invested companies covered by
the new guidelines include enterprises
trading with infrastructure of industrial
zones; of export processing zones and
new urban areas; of houses for sale or
rent with money paid in advance; and of
offices for sale or rent with money paid
in advance.
Accessed on 22 January 2004 from<http://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/AsemVn/asps/news.asp?idnews=5610&tuan=2>
New state-owned enterprises law enacted.
Viet Nam Trade Information Centre,
17 November 2003
With effect from July 2004, state-owned
enterprises (SOE) in Viet Nam will no
longer have to rely entirely on the state
for capital. From July 2004 onwards, a
SOE will be defined as a company whose
chartered or share capital comes either
in part or in full from the state. A transitional
scheme to separate the managerial role
of ministries and provincial committees
has been set up by establishing a state
corporation to invest and trade state
capital in the restructured SOEs. Currently,
there are 5,200 SOEs in Viet Nam.
Accessed on 22 January 2004 from<http://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/asemvn/asps/news.asp?idnews=5434&tuan=46>
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
2/2004