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

CHINA
Law on foreign trade amended. Hong Kong (China) Trade and Industry Department, Commercial Information Circular No. 89/2004, 14 April 2004
On 6 April 2004, China passed the amendments to the Law on Foreign Trade. The revised Law will come into force on 1 July 2004. According to the revised text, foreign trade includes import and export of goods, technology and international trade in services. Trading entities can be legal persons, organizations or individuals.
Accessed on 23 April 2004
<http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/asia/2004/ci892004.html>

New regulations on anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures. Hong Kong (China) Trade and Industry Department, Commercial Information Circulars No. 99/2004, No. 101/2004 and No. 102/2004, 19-20 April 2004
On 31 March 2004, China passed amendments to the regulations on anti-dumping (Commercial Information Circular No. 99/2004), anti-subsidy (Commercial Information Circular No. 101/2004) and safeguard measures (Commercial Information Circular No. 102/2004). The new regulations will come into effect on 1 June 2004.
Accessed on 22 April 2004 <http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/asia/2004/asia2004.html >

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Imports of ‘unsustainable’ tuna and swordfish products banned. EU News on Trade, 29 April 2004
On 29 April 2004, the EU banned the import of tuna and swordfish products from countries whose fishing activities undermine international efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks in a sustainable manner. The countries and fish species targeted by the trade sanctions are: Bolivia, Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea, Georgia and Sierra Leone in respect of Atlantic bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus); Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone in respect of Atlantic blue-fin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and Sierra Leone in respect of Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius).
Accessed on 30 April 2004 <http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/sectoral/agri_fish/pr290404_en.htm>

Steps to ensure access to medicines for poor countries. EU Press Release, 21 April 2004
On 21 April 2004, the European Commission added seven anti-retrovirals in the list of medicines placed under EU protection against trade diversion. The initiative is intended to enable pharmaceutical producers to increase supplies of medicines at lower prices to 76 developing countries, while keeping higher prices for the same items in the EU. The products on the list will bear a logo to easily identify them and their importation into the EU for free circulation, re-exportation, warehousing or trans-shipment will be prohibited.
Accessed on 27 April 2004 <http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/global/medecine/pr210404_en.htm>

WTO rules confirm EU GSP drug preferences. EU Press Release, 7 April 2004
On 7 April 2004, the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued its report on India's complaint against the European Union drug preference system in the document “European Communities - Conditions for the Granting of Tariff Preferences to Developing Countries” (WT/DS246/AB/R) regarding seriously drug-affected countries. In this report the Appellate Body reversed the findings of a previous WTO panel and rejected India's claim that WTO rules do not allow to differentiate between developing countries. Later on 20 April 2004, the Dispute Settlement Body adopted the Appellate Body.
Accessed on 26 April 2004 <http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/india/pr070404_en.htm>
See report of WTO Appellate Body. Accessed on 28 April 2004
<http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/246abr_e.pdf>

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Agreement on Common Economic Space ratified. Interfax News Agency, 23 April 2003
On 23 April 2004, the Russian Federation ratified the agreement establishing the Common Economic Space between Belarus, the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
Accessed on 26 April 2004 <http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/26.html?id_issue=9693699>

Partnership Cooperation Agreement extended to the new EU. EU News on Trade, 27 April 2004
On 27 April 2004, the Russian Federation and the European Union signed a protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and the Russian Federation, extending the agreement to the ten new member states of the enlarged EU on 1 May 2004. The extension of the PCA to the enlarged EU will allow the Russian Federation to benefit from all the opportunities for increased cooperation arising from EU enlargement.
Accessed on 26 April 2004 <http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/russia/pr270404_en.htm>

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Export control procedures agreement. The Washington File, 23 April 2004
On April 21 2004, the United States and China reached agreement on export control procedures for controlled dual-use items. In the same agreement, the two countries also committed to increase cooperation on trade promotion, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses from the United States of America, and agreed to reinforce their existing dialog on textile trade.
Accessed on 26 April 2004 <http://usinfo.state.gov/>

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
Nepal new WTO member. WTO News, 23 April 2004
On 23 April 2004, the Kingdom of Nepal became the 147th Member of the World Trade Organization.
Accessed on 26 April 2004 <http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/wto_147members_23apr04_e.htm>

INDIA
Amendment of rules concerning the filing of import manifest before arrival of vessel or aircraft. Central Board of Excise and Customs, Circular No.30 /2004-Cus., 30 April 2004
Government of India has amended Circular No. 110/2003–Cus. dated 22 December 2003 and Circular No.15/2004-Cus. dated 16 February 2004, related to the detailed procedure prescribed for filing advance Import General Manifest. The amendment has been made in view of the representations from the stakeholders and with the aim to ensure a smooth implementation of the rules.
Accessed on 27 April 2004
<http://www.cbec.gov.in/cae/customs/cs-circulars/cs-circulars04/30-2004-cus.htm>

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Amendment of the oil export duty scale. Interfax News Agency, 28 April 2004
On 26 April 2004, the Government of the Russian Federation approved amendments to the law on customs tariffs, and to the second part of the Tax Code and other legislative acts concerning changes in the oil export duty scale and increasing the rent component in the taxation of oil production.
Accessed on 29 April 2004 <http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/26.html?id_issue=9695283>

SINGAPORE
Permit requirements for non-dutiable and non-controlled goods waived. Singapore Customs Authority, 19 April 2004
With effect from 19 April 2004, the Government of Singapore has amended the imports and exports regulation waiving permit requirements for non-dutiable and non-controlled goods being imported, exported or trans-shipped by air provided that the total value of the goods does not exceed US$ 400.
Accessed on 29 April 2004 <http://www.customs.gov.sg/circular/legislative.html>

VIET NAM
Procedures for textiles exported to U.S simplified. AsemConnect News, 19 April 2004
The Government of Viet Nam has announced that exporters of all textile categories to the United States of America, with the weight less than 120 kilogrammes or 20 dozens, will only need to go to local import-export management agencies. In addition, enterprises will not be restricted by times of exporting light-weight categories provided that the total weight of all imported textiles does not be exceed 300 dozens or 500 kilogrammes.
Accessed on 19 April 2004
<http://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/asemvn/asps/news.asp?idnews=5810&tuan=16>

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Amendment of delivery obligations for cane sugar imported under the ACP Protocol and the India Agreement. Official Journal of the European Union, 21 April 2004
On 21 April 2004, the EU adopted Commission Regulation (EC) No 737/2004 amending the delivery obligations for imports of products falling within CN code 1701, expressed as white sugar equivalent, originating in countries which are parties to the ACP Protocol and the India Agreement for the 2003/2004 delivery period for each exporting country as set out in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 443/2004.
Accessed on 15 April 2004
<http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_116/l_11620040422en00030004.pdf>

Correction of preferential tariff quota for imports of raw cane sugar from the ACP States. Official Journal of the European Union, 7 April 2004
On 7 April 2004, the EU adopted Commission Regulation (EC) No 652/2004 correcting Regulation (EC) No 362/2004 opening a preferential tariff quota for imports of raw cane sugar originating in the ACP States for supply to refineries during the period 1 March to 30 June 2004. The new regulation shall apply from 1 March 2004.
Accessed on 27 April 2004
<http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_104/l_10420040408en00430043.pdf>

Quantities to be allocated to importers from the EU quantitative quotas on certain products originating in China. Official Journal of the European Union, 21 April 2004
On 21 April 2004, the EU adopted Commission Regulation (EC) No 741/2004 establishing the quantities to be allocated to importers from the Community quantitative quotas on certain products originating in China redistributed by Regulation (EC) No 308/2004. Products covered by this regulation are certain footwear, certain tableware, kitchenware of porcelain or china and certain ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, other than of porcelain or china.
Accessed on 27 April 2004
<http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_116/l_11620040422en00150018.pdf>

INDIA
Anti-dumping duty on oxo-alcohols from Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation. Central Board of Excise and Customs, Notification No. 57/2004-Customs, 20 April 2004
On 20 April 2004, the Government of India announced the imposition of an anti-dumping duty on oxo-alcohols falling under heading HS 2905 originating in, or exported from the European Union, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Poland, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. The anti-dumping duty imposed under this notification shall be levied for a period of five years with effect from the date of imposition of provisional anti-dumping duty, i.e. 27 January 2000, and shall be paid in Indian currency.
Accessed on 21 April 2004
<http://www.cbec.gov.in/cae/customs/cs-act/notifications/notfns-2k4/cs57-2k4.htm>

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Ban imports of live cattle from countries with BSE. Interfax News Agency, 27 April 2004
With effect from 17 May 2004, the Government of the Russian Federation will ban imports of live cattle from all countries in which cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, have been registered. The Government argues that the situation with BSE in Europe indicates that the disease is still spreading, despite thorough efforts directed by the European authorities.
Accessed on 28 April 2004 <http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/26.html?id_issue=9694588>

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Annual report on barriers to telecom trade. Office of the United Sates Trade Representative, 8 April 2004
On 7 April 2004, the Government of the United States of America issued the annual report listing barriers to telecom trade. Proposed single-technology product standards in China and the Republic of Korea for wireless communications are among the barriers to telecommunications covered by the report. The United States of America announced that it will continue to urge these countries to refrain from imposing ‘exclusionary’ standards and will review specific measures for consistency with trade obligations.
Accessed on 15 April 2004 <http://www.ustr.gov/sectors/industry/Telecom1377/2004/1377report.pdf>

CHINA
Measures for foreign-invested commercial enterprises. Hong Kong (China) Trade and Industry Department, Commercial Information Circular No. 106/2004, 22 April 2004
With effect from 1 June 2004, the Government of China has announced the new administrative measures for commercial enterprises with foreign investment. On the same day, the "Experimental Measures for Commercial Enterprises with Foreign Investment" promulgated in 1999 will be abolished.
Accessed on 28 April 2004
<http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/cic/asia/2004/ci1062004.html>

Regulations on foreign-invested distribution sector take effect. China Investment Promotion Agency, 20 April 2004
The Government of China has announced the full enforcement of the regulations on foreign investment utilization in the distribution sector, which had been provisionally in effect on a trial basis. Foreign and domestic investors may now establish foreign-invested distribution companies and engage in retail activities. The Regulations cover the opening of more localities to foreign invested distributors, relax the foreign share-holding restriction, and eliminate registered capital threshold and the capital requirement on investors, as well as the sub-designating part of the approval power for foreign-invested distribution.
Accessed on 23 April 2004
<http://www.fdi.gov.cn/common/info.jsp?id=ABC00000000000013914>

LAO PDR
Agreement on labour cooperation with Thailand. Viet Nam News Agency, 27 April 2004
Thailand and Lao PDR have signed an agreement on labour cooperation, aimed at clarifying the employment and immigration situation for Lao nationals working in Thailand and Thai nationals working in Lao PDR. The agreement focuses on the clarification of the situation of migrant workers from both countries including issues such as employment authorizations and the repatriation of illegal workers.
Accessed on 28 April 2004 <http://www.vnagency.com.vn/News>

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Reebok first company to be accredited for fair labour. The Herald On-line, 30 April 2004
On 29 April 2004, the Fair Labour Association (FLA) accredited Reebok International for substantially complying with its requirements over a two-year period. The FLA’s checklist includes meeting standards banning child labour, forced labour, abuse and discrimination, as well as guaranteeing health and safety of workers, freedom of association and collective bargaining. Reebok is the first company to be accredited by the organization. The accreditation is subject to review every year.
Accessed on 30 April 2004
<http://www.heraldonline.com/24hour/business/story/1333428p-8507706c.html>

VIET NAM
Viet Nam-Germany small and medium-sized enterprises association set up. AsemConnect News, 19 April 2004
The Government of Viet Nam has announced the establishment of the Viet Nam-Germany small and medium-sized enterprises association aimed at boosting investment, trade promotion, technology transfer and tourism between both countries. The goals of the association are to exchange information, share experience and support production and trading, represent and protect legal rights of members, enhance investment and trade, etc between SMEs of the two countries.
Accessed on 21 April 2004
<http://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/asemvn/asps/news.asp?idnews=5801&tuan=16>

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
WTO interim report on Brazil-U.S.A. cotton case. The Washington Times, 27 April 2004
On 26 April 2004, the WTO dispute-settlement panel issued its interim report ruling that the cotton subsidies the United States of America provides to its farmers are unfair to developing nations. The report argues that subsidies boost U.S. production and exports while lowering world cotton prices. It is the first time a country has been challenged over its domestic agricultural subsidies, and the first case that looks at the effect of export subsidies on crops. Brazil and the U.S.A. will have a chance to comment on the interim ruling before it is finalized on 18 June 2004 after which time it can also be appealed.
Accessed on 29 April 2004 <http://ap.washingtontimes.com/dynamic/stories/W/WTO_BRAZIL_US_COTTON?>

Hainan Province reforms its non-government-invested project management system. China Investment Promotion Agency, 21 April 2004
The Government of China has announced new measures regarding the registration and management of non-government-invested projects in Hainan Province. The new measures establish a system of registration for non-government-invested projects with a total investment of Y 500,000 or higher that fall into the state-approved categories of unrestricted and unregulated projects, with the exception of projects expressly restricted by the state or projects that are non-executable without the government’s approval.
Accessed on 23 April 2004
<http://www.fdi.gov.cn/common/info.jsp?id=ABC00000000000013926>

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Establishment of a water facility for ACP countries. Official Journal of the European Union, 22 March 2004
On 22 March 2004, the European Council adopted Council Decision 2004/289/EC concerning the partial release of the conditional amount of Euro 1 billion under the ninth European Development Fund for cooperation with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in order to establish a water facility.
Accessed on 9 April 2004
<http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_094/l_09420040331en00570058.pdf>

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
New programme to assist developing countries facing trade liberalization. World Bank Press Review, 14 April 2004
On 13 April 2004, the IMF announced a new loan program to help developing countries deal with any adverse impacts of trade liberalization. The IMF's new Trade Integration Mechanism would provide these nations with loans to help them cope with adverse effects from reduced export sales to rich countries resulting from a Doha trade agreement. The new program is also aimed at helping countries deal with the elimination of textile quotas which will occur at the end of 2004.
Accessed on 21 April 2004 <http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/>

THAILAND
International financial institutions to issue currency-denominated bonds. Ministry of Finance, 23 April 2004
On 21 April 2004, the Government of Thailand approved a plan that will allow foreign institutions to issue 30 billion Baht-denominated bonds to meet local demand. The baht-denominated bonds must have a maturity of not less than five years. Bond issuers are required to extend lending to development projects in neighboring countries, such as Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. At the same time, such projects must be beneficial to Thailand. With this measure, Thailand will be the first country under the Asian Bond Fund to issue currency-denominated bonds.
Accessed on 27 April 2004
<http://www2.mof.go.th/MofNews/230404_MOFOkaysBahtBondIssurancePlan_BusinessDay.htm>

VIET NAM
New interest rate for preferential investment and development loans. Ministry of Finance, 23 April 2004
The Government of Viet Nam has announced a new interest rate for preferential investment and development loans in Vietnamese Dong. The new measure establishes a new rate equivalent to 70 percent of the average commercial rates applied by State-owned banks. The new rate will range from 6.6 to 7.2 percent annually instead of the prevailing 5.4 percent and will be applied only after the project begins operating.
Accessed on 21 April 2004 <http://www.mof.gov.vn/DefaultE.aspx?tabid=356&ItemID=9221>

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