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Welcome to E-TISNET Monthly News to keep you abreast
of the latest developments on trade and investment relevant to the Asia-Pacific
region. E-TISNET Monthly News is the electronic and user-friendly
version of the former TISNET Trade and Investment Information
Bulletin.
For enquiries and/or subscriptions, please contact us at escap-tisnet@un.org
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A. TRADE-RELATED
INFORMATION
AUSTRALIA
Australia-China free trade agreement
negotiations. Australia Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 18 April
2005
On 18 April 2005, China and Australia signed
a Memorandum of Understanding to formally
start negotiation on a free trade area following
Australia's recognition of China's full
market economy status. This makes Australia
the second developed country in Oceania,
after New Zealand, to grant full market
economy status and open free trade negotiations
with China. China is now Australia's third
largest trading partner, second largest
export market and second largest origin
of imports.
Accessed on 26 April 2005 < http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/china/fta/
>
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh, China specify trade and
other cooperation. The Daily Star,
8 April 2005
On 8 April 2005, China and Bangladesh
issued a communique calling upon further
cooperation in fields like economy, trade
and agriculture, on the basis of equality
and mutual benefit, fairness and rationality.
They agreed to actively explore new ways
to increase bilateral trade as well as
to encourage and support enterprises to
conduct two-way investments.
Accessed on 26 April 2005 < http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/04/08/d5040801011.htm
>
CHINA
China becomes world's third largest
exporter. China Ministry of Commerce,
18 April 2005
China exported more than Japan in 2004,
becoming the world's third largest exporter
behind the United States of America and
Germany. According to the WTO, surging
demand for Chinese electronic products
pushed China's overseas sales up by 35
per cent. One third of Chinese exports
are electronic products, which account
for one to two thirds of exports of Singapore,
Republic of Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The export value of textiles and clothing
jumped 15 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.
Accessed on 18 April 2005
< http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200504/20050400068366.html
>
China, Nigeria agree to expand economic
cooperation. China Ministry of
Commerce, 18 April 2005
On 14 April 2005, China and Nigeria signed
five economic agreements covering investment,
telecommunication services, technological
support and other areas. Chinese and Nigerian
officials also agreed to build a "strategic
partnership" between the two countries.
Nigeria is now China's second largest
export market and fourth largest trade
partner in Africa.
Accessed on 18 April 2005
<
http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200504/20050400068549.html
>
INDIA
India, Pakistan agree to improve bilateral
trade. Viet Nam News Agency,
18 April 2005
On 17 April 2005, India and Pakistan have
agreed to the establishment of a joint
business council and the resumption of
a joint commercial committee in order
to boost their bilateral economic and
trade relations. Although the joint commercial
committee has not met since 1989, two-way
trade between the two countries increased
from 161 million US dollars in 2000 to
483.85 million US dollars last year.
Accessed on 20 April 2005
< http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=34&NEWS_ID=147373>
JAPAN
Japan-Mexico FTA comes into force.
International Centre for Trade and
Sustainable Development (ICTSD),
6 April 2005
On 1 April 2005, Japan's free trade agreement
(FTA) with Mexico came into effect. The
agreement, signed in 2004 after over two
years of hard negotiations, is Japan's
first comprehensive FTA to affect its
heavily protected agriculture sector,
lowering tariffs on Mexican exports including
pork, chicken and oranges. The agreement
will phase out tariffs on 90 per cent
of goods within ten years, by which time
98 per cent of Japanese exports and 87
per cent of Mexican ones will receive
duty-free market access. Lower tariffs
on Mexican pork are immediately coming
into effect through the establishment
of a low-tariff import quota.
Accessed on 12 April 2005 < http://www.ictsd.org/weekly/05-04-06/story4.htm
>
THAILAND
New Zealand/ Thailand Closer Economic
Partnership signed. The National
Business Review, 19 April 2005
On 19 April 2005, the Minister of Commerce
of Thailand and the Minister for Trade
Negotiations of New Zealand signed a Closer
Economic Partnership (CEP) between the
two countries. Agreements on labour and
environmental issues were also signed.
The CEP will come into effect on 1 July
2005.
Accessed on 20 April 2005 < http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=11818&cid=4&cname=Business+Today
>
VIET NAM
Viet Nam, Republic of Korea sign gas
contract. Viet Nam News Agency,
19 April 2005
On 19 April 2005, Viet Nam signed a contract
to sell natural gas to the Republic of
Korea. A Korean oil corporation plans
to invest about 300 million US dollars
in Viet Nam to develop an underground
pipeline system and wells for pumping
natural gas.
Accessed on 20 April 2005
< http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=29&NEWS_ID=147644
>
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
Developing countries’ goods trade
share surges to 50-year peak. WTO
News, 14 April 2005
Riding a wave of higher oil and commodity
prices, as well as vigorous global trade
growth including recovery in trade in
office and telecom equipment, developing
countries saw their share in world merchandise
trade rise sharply in 2004 to 31 per cent,
the highest since 1950. However a marked
slow-down in overall economic growth that
began in the second half of 2004 is likely
to decelerate world merchandise trade
growth from 9 per cent in 2004 to 6.5
per cent in 2005.
Accessed on 15 April 2005 < http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres05_e/pr401_e.htm
>
WTO farm talks break down on technical
issue. Channel News Asia,
20 April 2005
Agricultural talks at the World Trade
Organization broke down over the question
of how to calculate customs duties, a
technical issue that divides exporting
and importing countries. Discussions have
stumbled repeatedly in the past four years.
Accessed on 20 April 2005 < http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/143473/1/.html
>
B. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS AND CHARGES
BHUTAN
Bhutan/ India agreement on excise returns.
Bhutan’s Daily News, 9 April
2005
On 9 April 2005, Bhutan and India signed
the agreement on the final excise refund
claim for 2002. The government of India
is expected to refund about Nu.513 million
for excise duty paid on goods bought by
the Bhutanese from India in 2002. The excise
refund arrangement is based on the free
trade and commerce agreement between Bhutan
and India, which specifies that the two
countries will refund any excise duty imposed
on goods of either country exported to the
other.
Accessed on 11 April 2005 <http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=5278&PHPSESSID=4ebaa9d6071224ecc07a5c9893c06c14
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Release on a Commission Regulation
fixing the definitive rate of refund and
the percentage of system B export licences
to be issued in the fruit and vegetables
sector. Official Journal of the
European Union, 1 April 2005
Effective from 2 April 2005, the European
Union issued a Commission Regulation (EC)
No 524/2005 of 1 April 2005 fixing the
definitive rate of refund for tomatoes,
oranges, lemons and apples, as well as
the percentage of system B export licences
to be issued.
Accessed on 28 April 2005
< http://europa.eu.int/eurlex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_084/l_08420050402en00120013.pdf
>
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Free economic zone established in Incheon
Airport. The Korea Development
Bank, 4 April 2005
On 4 April 2005, the Korean government
announced that it will establish a free
economic zone within Incheon International
Airport, the main gateway to the country,
to encourage foreign airlines and logistics
firms to build their cargo centers there.
A range of tax breaks, including lower
tariffs, will be offered to companies
setting up cargo centers in the free economic
zone. It is scheduled to be operational
early next year.
Accessed on 7 April 2005
< http://www.kdb.co.kr/weblogic/Board?BID=25&NID=14856&ACTION=VIEW&NPAGE=12
>
VIET NAM
Government reduces tariffs on some
Thai products. Viet Nam News Agency,
9 April 2005
On 8 April 2005, the Government of Viet
Nam issued a decree on cutting import
tariffs on a number of goods from Thailand,
including products for livestock breeding,
bathroom fixture, air conditioners, washing
machines, and refrigerators. The reduction
was made in furtherance of the Viet Nam-Thailand
agreement relating to Viet Nam's postponement
of implementing the Common Effective Preferential
Tariff Agreement among countries of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
on certain products.
Accessed on 14 April 2005 <http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=30&NEWS_ID=146302>
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Government kills certain cellulose
export duties. Interfax Information
Service Group, 15 April 2005
On 13 April 2005, the Government of the
Russian Federation signed a resolution
to abolish the customs export duty on
some types of wood pulp. Wood, soda or
sulfite pulp (not counting soluble forms),
unbleached, semi-bleached or bleached
softwood pulp will no longer be subject
to any duty. These types of product were
earlier subject to 5 euros, but no less
than 15 euros/tonne. The resolution takes
force a month following its official publication.
Accessed on 19 April 2005 < http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/finances/26.html?id_issue=11270657
>
Russian Federation suspends import
duty on iron ore, concentrate.
Interfax Information Service Group,
8 April 2005
On 8 April 2008, the Prime Minister of
the Russian Federation signed a resolution
lifting the duties on non-agglomerated
and agglomerated iron ores and concentrates
(customs classification TN VED 2601 11
000 0 and 2601 12 000 0). The Russian
Federation will suspend the 5 per cent
import duty on iron ores and concentrates
for a period of nine months. The resolution
enters into effect a month after its official
publication.
Accessed on 19 April 2005 < http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/finances/26.html?id_issue=11267468
>
C. NON-TARIFF MEASURES
CHINA
China's exports of woven cotton shirts
surges in January-February 2005.
EmergingTextile.com, 7 April 2005
China's exports of woven cotton shirts
for men or boys surged in the first two
months of the year. Due to competitive
prices and to the removal of quotas, sales
to the US and the EU actually boomed in
the January-February period. China's exports
of men's and boys' woven cotton shirts
(HS 620520) were up 48 per cent in the
two first months of the year, rising from
33 million pieces in the same period of
2004 to 49 million units.
Accessed on 11 April 2005 < http://www.emergingtextiles.com/?q=art&s=050407-mark&r=free&n=1
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
European Commission agrees to publish
guidelines governing use of textiles safeguards.
EU Press Room, 6 April 2005
On 6 April 2005, the European Commission
agreed to publish guidelines that will
clarify under what circumstances it would
consider safeguard action against textile
and clothing imports from China. The guidelines
relate to the textiles-specific safeguard
clause written into China’s Protocol
of Accession to the WTO in 2001 which
was incorporated into EU law in 2003.
The guidelines establish procedures and
criteria for the objective and transparent
use of safeguard proceedings.
Accessed on 14 April 2005 < http://europa.eu.int/rapid/ >
INDIA
Anti-dumping duty on thermal sensitive
paper from Indonesia, Malaysia and United
Arab Emirates. India Central Board
of Excise and Customs, 13 April 2005
On 13 April 2005, the Government of India
issued Customs Notification No. 35/2005
announcing the imposition of anti-dumping
duty on imports of thermal sensitive paper,
good falling under Chapter 48 of the First
Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975
(51 of 1975), from Indonesia, Malaysia and
United Arab Emirates.
Accessed on 20 April 2005 < http://203.197.214.122:8080/cbec/customs_t/notif35cus-05.doc
>
Rescission of anti-dumping duty on
imports of Hydroxyl Amine Sulphate from
the United States of America, Japan and
the European Union. India Central
Board of Excise and Customs, 12 April
2005
On 12 April 2005, the Government of India
issued Customs Notification No. 33/2005
announcing the rescission of anti-dumping
duty on all imports of Hydroxyl Amine
Sulphate, product falling under sub-heading
No. 2825 10 of the First Schedule to the
Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975),
originating in, or exported from the United
States of America, Japan and the European
Union.
Accessed on 20 April 2005 < http://203.197.214.122:8080/cbec/customs_t/NOTIF33-05CUS.doc
>
Compulsory sampling of all chili export
consignments. India Ministry of
commerce, 20 April 2005
In order to avoid concurrence of Sudan
dye contamination in the export of chili
and chili products from India, the Spices
Board has started to conduct compulsory
sampling of all chili/chili products export
consignments from India. With effect from
10 March 2005, no consignment of chili,
chili products or other food products
containing chili in whatsoever form shall
be exported unless a certificate is issued
by the Spices Board certifying that the
consignment does not contain Sudan I to
IV and aflatoxin beyond acceptable levels.
Accessed on 28 April 2005 < http://commerce.nic.in/Apr05_release.htm
>
JAPAN
Japan imposes curbs on shrimp from
India. The Financial Express,
11 April 2005
Japan, like the European Union, has imposed
strict standards on import of shrimp from
India, following the presence of banned
antibiotics in some consignments. It has
made mandatory for consignments to be
accompanied by a check report that the
material is free of anti-biotics, especially
nitrofuran.
Accessed on 11 April 2005 < http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=87587
>
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation bans poultry imports
from Italy. Interfax Information
Service Group, 20 April 2005
On 20 April 2005, Russian federation bans
poultry imports from Italy due to a breakout
of bird flu in that country. The ban will
affect live birds, incubated eggs, poultry,
all kinds of poultry products that have
not undergone thermal treatment and bird
feed. The ban is based on a European Commission
report highlighting that bird flu has
been discovered in turkeys in the Italian
province of Brescia.
Accessed on 21 April 2005 < http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/finances/26.html?id_issue=11272276
>
Russian Federation suspends meat import
from Moldova. Interfax Information
Service Group, 18 April 2005
Starting from 18 April 2005, the Russian
Federation has suspended meat imports
from Moldova. The ban applies to beef,
pork, lamb, and poultry, as well as meat
byproducts. It follows received bids for
importing meat from Moldova to the Russian
Federation in quantities that significantly
exceed meat production in that country,
which might mean that Moldova is used
for meat re-export from third countries.
Accessed on 19 April 2005 < http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/finances/26.html?id_issue=11270999
>
D. INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED INFORMATION
AFGHANISTAN
ADB helps cellular phone services expansion
in Afghanistan. ADB News, 6
April 2005
On 6 April 2005, a 35 million US dollars
loan has been signed by the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) to help to improve telecommunications
in Afghanistan. The funds aim at the financing
of the nationwide expansion and upgrading
of the country's leading cellular network.
Accessed on 7 April 2005 < http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/2005/nr2005059.asp
>
ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
ORGANIZATION (APEC)
Release of the new APEC guidelines
for secure international e-commerce transactions.
APEC News, 1 April 2005
Guidelines to make e-commerce transactions
across borders more secure and simple
have been released by the APEC eSecurity
Task Group. The Public Key Infrastructure
guidelines will be used for a range of
transactions including the formalization
of contracts, shipping documentation,
customs and quarantine clearance and taxation
as well as online consumer purchases.
Accessed on 7 April 2005
<http://www.apec.org/apec/news___media/media_releases/010405_secureintlecommerceguidelines.html>
CHINA
Release of China's first "electronic
signature act" - China's e-commerce
industry expected to grow at over 50 per
cent every year. Shanghai Daily,
18 April 2005
On 1 April 2005, China's first "electronic
signature act" started to take effect,
which is considered the milestone of China's
e-commerce development. In recent years,
e-commerce has been expanding fast with
annual sales rising at 40 per cent on
average. It is estimated that this year
the development of e-commerce would focus
on the construction of a credit record
system, electronic payments, modern logistics
and human resources management.
Accessed on 19 April 2005
<http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/business/userobject1ai1025159.html>
PAKISTAN
Six accords, two Memoranda of Understanding
signed with Azerbaijan. Business
Recorder, 14 April 2005
On 13 April 2005, six agreements and memoranda
of understanding (MoUs) on enhancing co-operation
in culture, education, finance, communication,
information technology and aviation have
been signed between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
Accessed on 14 April 2005
< http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=230806&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate
>
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Korean builders enjoy surge in overseas
orders. The Korea Development
Bank, 6 April 2005
A lobby group for Korean builders participating
in projects oversees announced that Korean
players won 6.85 billion US dollars in
foreign countries construction orders
in January-February 2005, a 91.9 per cent
increase from 3.57 billion US dollars
in the same period the previous year.
Korean firms obtained 65 projects from
23 countries in 2005 until 29 March.
Accessed on 7 April 2005
< http://www.kdb.co.kr/weblogic/Board?BID=25&NID=14879&ACTION=VIEW&NPAGE=11
>
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
United States, India sign open skies
aviation agreement. U.S. Department
of States, 14 April 2005
On 14 April 2005, India and the United
States of America signed an open skies
agreement in New Delhi, which will help
facilitate direct air links, improve frequencies
and lower the cost of air travel between
the two countries.
Accessed on 26 April 2005
< http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/Archive/2005/Apr/14-952568.html?chanlid=washfile
>
VIET NAM
Foreign investors join in anti-counterfeit
move. Viet Nam News Agency,
13 April 2005
On 12 April 2005, the Viet Nam Anti-Counterfeiting
and Intellectual Property Protection Association
of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VACIP)
was set up, to fight alarming intellectual
property violations of which more than
400 cases were brought to court last year
alone. The association is expected to
raise its membership to 30 in the first
year of operation from the initial 19.
Accessed on 20 April 2005 <http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=30&NEWS_ID=146772>
Viet Nam's garment industry faces
difficulties due to quota delay. US-ASEAN
Business Council, 7 April 2005
The ministries of trade and industry have
issued an inter-ministerial circular governing
quota transfers for garment companies
exporting to the United States of America,
but business leaders have complained that
a delay in the government's official recognition
of quota trading has cost them money.
At present, demand for quota transferring
between firms is high because fluctuations
in the markets for various categories
of goods occur on a yearly basis.
Accessed on 11 April 2005 < http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050407/4/1yz09.html
>
E. INVESTMENT-RELATED INFORMATION
CHINA
Over 2,000 Franchise operations in China.
China Ministry of Commerce, 13
April 2005
The China Franchise Association announced
that by the end of 2004, the number of franchise
operations broke through 2,000, the top
figure in the world. The number of franchise
stores reached 120,000 units with 1.8 million
staff members and 600,000 new jobs. China
has become a fast developing and potential
market and is carefully considered by investors
and foreign franchise operators.
Accessed on 18 April 2005
< http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/significantnews/200504/20050400051635.html
>
Shanghai customs introduces measures
in support of modern service development
in Pudong. China Investment Promotion
Agency, 12 April 2005
Shanghai Customs and the Pudong New Area
Government signed in April 2005 the strategic
partnership agreement for promoting modern
service development in Pudong. According
to the Agreement, Shanghai Customs will
improve its services at the Pudong Port
with a focus on modern service areas.
Accessed on 20 April 2005 < http://www.fdi.gov.cn/common/info.jsp?id=ABC00000000000020205
>
LAO, Peoples’ Democratic
Republic
Lao PDR receives support for the long
term. World Bank News, 31 March 2005
On 31 March 2005, the Executive Directors
of the International Development Association
(IDA) and the Board of Directors of the
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
(MIGA) approved a number of investments
as part of an international effort to
help increase incomes and living standards
in one of East Asia’s poorest countries.
The assistance strategy for Lao Peoples’
Democratic Republic aims to sustain growth
by strengthening the private sector, helping
rural communities, better managing natural
resources, and further linking the country
to the regional economy.
Accessed on 5 April 2005 < http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/
>
PAKISTAN
Islamic Bank provides 600 million US
dollars for oil imports. Dawn Group,
5 April 2005
The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) announced
on 5 April 2005 that it will provide 600
million US dollars to Pakistan for importing
crude oil. The IDB has extended a facility
of 100 million US dollars to Pakistan for
the import of crude oil and petroleum products
and 500 million US dollars for financing
crude oil imports during the current year.
Accessed on 7 April 2005 < http://www.dawn.com/2005/04/06/ebr2.htm
>
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Government to set up investment fund
starting in 2006. Interfax Information
Service Group, 15 April 2005
The Government of the Russian Federation
has decided on the creation of an investment
fund starting in 2006. Two sources of
income for the fund are under consideration,
the increase of the oil price and the
money coming from the early foreign debt
repayment.
Accessed on 19 April 2005 < http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/finances/26.html?id_issue=11270691
>
VIET NAM
Large investment for fisheries protection
and development. Viet Nam News
Agency, 14 April 2005
It has been announced that the fisheries
sector will invest 7.4 million US dollars
in protecting and developing fisheries
resources over the 2006-2010 period. This
amount will be channeled from the central
State and local budgets for one part and
the remainder will be mobilized from domestic
and foreign organizations as well as individuals.
Accessed on 20 April 2005
<http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=30&NEWS_ID=146927>
F. DID YOU KNOW THAT...?
… Viet Nam trade sector restructures
the domestic distribution channels?
Viet Nam's trade sector is restructuring
the domestic distribution system in preparation
for the opening of the retail market once
the country joins the World Trade Organization.
The main task for the Trade Ministry is
to establish a uniform distribution system
across the country, and expand its network
of sale agents in order to make it strong
enough to set the direction for the domestic
market, compete with trans-national companies
and, in the long run, reach out other markets
in the region and the world.
Read the full story from the US-ASEAN Business
Council
http://www.us-asean.org/vietnam.asp
Accessed on 11 April 2005
… DBP was launching a Reforestation
Program?
The Development Bank of the Philippines
(DBP) Forest program seeks to support
and encourage the forestation of open
and denuded areas through the planting
of high value fruit trees and other useful
plant species. The program is also envisioned
to contribute to the protection of coastal
areas and the conservation of soil and
water in the uplands, while improving
spawning grounds for terrestrial and marine
aquatic life. In the long run, it also
aims to help in the development of downstream
industries in the countryside.
Read the full story from the Development
Bank of the Philippines’ website
http://www.devbankphil.com.ph/News/news_full.php?articleid=00151
Accessed on 7 April 2005
… Russian federation opposes
US's intention to deploy weapons in space?
On 13 April 2005, the Russian Foreign
Minister announced Russian Federation's
consistent position to protest against
all intentions to deploy weapons in space.
The announcement has been applauded by
most countries around the world.
Read the full story from the Viet Nam
News Agency
http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=34&NEWS_ID=146917
Accessed on 20 April 2005
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.
©2005 United Nations
|
ISSUE
5/2005