• TRADE-RELATED INFORMATION
• CUSTOM REGULATIONS AND CHARGES
• NON-TARIFF MEASURES
• INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED INFORMATION
• INVESTMENT-RELATED INFORMATION

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>

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>

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>

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>

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>

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