Trade and Investment Division, UNESCAP


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Bangkok, Thailand

Trade and Investment Division (TID)

2004 ANNUAL INDEX e-TISNET Monthly News (January-December)
SECTION	ISSUE	ISSUE NO.
A. TRADE-RELATED INFORMATION (TR)
AFGHANISTAN Agreement to promote trade facilitation ASIA COOPERATION DIALOGUE (ACD) ACD agrees to strengthen ties ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (APEC) Best practices for RTAs and FTAs New APEC strategy on tourism ASIA-PACIFIC REGION Agreement on Asian highway network signed ADB and UNESCAP agree to enhance regional cooperation APEC urges the use of paperless trading systems Initiatives to further promote safe, secure and efficient transportation New signatories of the Asian Highway ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) Agreement with UNU to promote sustainable development ASEAN recognizes China as market economy Deadline for AFTA shortened Plan to enhance trade and investment linkages with the EU AUSTRALIA Budget package to boost exports Trade agreement with the United States of America BANGLADESH Trade and economic ties with Indonesia reinforced BIMST-EC First summit-level meeting Six Asian countries sign an agreement for free trade area CAMBODIA Accession to WTO completed Parliament approves entry to WTO Relations with Pakistan strengthened CHINA Agreement on air services with the United States of America signed China and Brazil agree to enhance cooperation China legalizes electronic signatures to promote e-commerce Early-warning system for trade remedy measures Law on foreign trade amended New regulations on anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures Trade policy dialogue with the EU established DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Developing nations agree on more cooperation DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA European business chamber opens in Korea DPR EAST ASIA Japan and ASEAN propose an East Asian community EUROPEAN UNION (EU) ASEM Summit Customs agreement with India signed EU-Russian Federation bilateral agreement on market access signed Imports of ‘unsustainable’ tuna and swordfish products banned Imports of canned GM-sweet corn authorized Increased transparency in the use of trade defense Launch of trade negotiations with the Pacific region New banana regime underway New measures proposed to improve GSP scheme On-line helpdesk for exporters in developing countries Promoting gender equality in development cooperation Proposal for WTO textiles quota elimination Proposal of a new GSP system Proposal on access to essential medicines for poor countries Proposal to reform the EU sugar regime Steel agreement with Ukraine concluded Steps to ensure access to medicines for poor countries WTO rules against EU's sugar subsidies WTO rules confirm EU GSP drug preferences FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) New treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION (GMS) First GMS Trade Fair INDIA Indian and Pakistani businesswomen sign trade MoU Pakistan upgraded for better risk cover FTA protocol with Thailand signed New trade promotion strategy unveiled INDONESIA Promotion of trade with Central America INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (ISO) ISO/IEC help facilitate world trade ISO/IEC new standard for "one-stop accreditation" JAPAN New overseas trade office in China LAO PDR Access to world markets essential for poor countries Cooperation with China boosted Network between LDCs and civil society proposed NTR with the United States of America closer MALAYSIA Malaysia and Thailand join container security initiative ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) Evaluation of environmental impact of export credits PALAU Palau becomes member of the Asian Development Bank PAKISTAN Agreement with the EU for trade-related technical assistance Poverty Alleviation Fund's Phase-II launched Transit trade with Afghanistan enhanced PACIFIC ISLANDS Deadline for marine security New regional tuna association formed PHILIPPINES Trade cooperation agreements with India signed REPUBLIC OF KOREA Free trade accord with Chile KOTRA opens trade office in Mumbai (India). Terms for bilateral competition dialogue with the EU RUSSIAN FEDERATION Agreement on Common Economic Space ratified Kyoto Protocol approved Partnership Cooperation Agreement extended to the new EU SINGAPORE Trade agreement signed with Jordan 24-hour security rule for ships SOLOMON ISLANDS Fisheries agreement with the EU SOUTH EAST ASIA South East Asian Nations sign free trade pact South East Asian countries sign open skies pact THAILAND Free trade deal with Australia Thai-Australia FTA will bring tariffs to zero U.S. notifies intent to initiate FTA negotiations with Thailand TIMOR-LESTE Timor included in the EU GSP scheme UN recognizes Timor-Leste as Least Developed Country TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT New documentation requirements for trade in GMOs Trade and environment convention enters into force UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD) UNCTAD XI ends with a pledge to eradicate poverty 3rd round of negotiations under GSTP launched UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Export control procedures agreement First WTO case against China filed Free Association Agreement with Micronesia enacted Initiative to fight global trade in fakes List of countries eligible for new assistance funds New agricultural trade offices in China and the Philippines Review of the GSP scheme The U.S. to rejoin the International Coffee Organization Trade and investment framework agreement with Central Asia VIET NAM Anti-Subsidy Ordinance approved Bilateral trade agreement with Oman Bilateral deal with EU concluded BTA agreement with Israel signed Cooperation framework with Singapore signed Report of draft trade law presented WTO accession raises poverty concerns WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) Cotton sub-committee established Nepal new WTO member Launch of negotiations on trade facilitation WTO authorizes EU and others to take action against Byrd Amendment WTO rules against U.S.A. cotton subsidies	TR December 2004 TR July 2004 TR December 2004 TR November 2004 TR May 2004 TR June 2004 TR August 2004 TR September 2004 TR June 2004 TR September 2004 TR October 2004 TR September 2004 TR February 2004 TR June 2004 TR March 2004 TR February 2004 TR September 2004 TR March 2004 TR November 2004 TR September 2004 TR June 2004 TR August 2004 TR July 2004 TR September 2004 TR July 2004 TR May 2004 TR May 2004 TR June 2004 TR January 2004 TR February 2004 TR January 2004 TR November 2004 TR January 2004 TR July 2004 TR May 2004 TR June 2004 TR April 2004 TR October 2004 TR December 2004 TR August 2004 TR February 2004 TR June 2004 TR November 2004 TR November 2004 TR December 2004 TR August 2004 TR July 2004 TR May 2004 TR September 2004 TR May 2004 TR August 2004 TR April 2004 TR July 2004 TR April 2004 TR October 2004 TR October 2004 TR August 2004 TR December 2004 TR December 2004 TR November 2004 TR June 2004 TR April 2004 TR June 2004 TR December 2004 TR September 2004 TR January 2004 TR January 2004 TR March 2004 TR April 2004 TR March 2004 TR June 2004 TR October 2004 TR April 2004 TR March 2004 TR July 2004 TR December 2004 TR May 2004 TR November 2004 TR May 2004 TR June 2004 TR July 2004 TR March 2004 TR January 2004 TR January 2004 TR August 2004 TR April 2004 TR March 2004 TR November 2004 TR January 2004 TR March 2004 TR March 2004 TR July 2004 TR July 2004 TR May 2004 TR April 2004 TR July 2004 TR November 2004 TR June 2004 TR February 2004 TR August 2004 TR October 2004 TR July 2004 TR September 2004 TR June 2004 TR November 2004 TR October 2004 TR April 2004 TR December 2004 TR December 2004 TR December 2004 TR May 2004 TR December 2004 TR September 2004 TR July 2004	12/2004 7/2004 12/2004 11/2004 5/2004 6/2004 8/2004 9/2004 6/2004 9/2004 10/2004 9/2004 2/2004 6/2004 3/2004 2/2004 9/2004 3/2004 11/2004 9/2004 6/2004 8/2004 7/2004 9/2004 7/2004 5/2004 5/2004 6/2004 1/2004 2/2004 1/2004 11/2004 1/2004 7/2004 5/2004 6/2004 4/2004 10/2004 12/2004 8/2004 2/2004 6/2004 11/1004 11/2004 12/2004 8/2004 7/2004 5/2004 9/2004 5/2004 8/2004 4/2004 7/2004 4/2004 10/2004 10/2004 8/2004 12/2004 12/2004 11/2004 6/2004 4/2004 6/2004 12/2004 9/2004 1/2004 1/2004 3/2004 4/2004 3/2004 6/2004 10/2004 4/2004 3/2004 7/2004 12/2004 5/2004 11/2004 5/2004 6/2004 7/2004 3/2004 1/2004 1/2004 8/2004 4/2004 3/2004 11/2004 1/2004 3/2004 3/2004 7/2004 7/2004 5/2004 4/2004 7/2004 11/2004 6/2004 2/2004 8/2004 10/2004 7/2004 9/2004 6/2004 11/2004 10/2004 4/2004 12/2004 12/2004 12/2004 5/2004 12/2004 9/2004 7/2004
B. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS AND CHARGES (CT)
AUSTRALIA New export declaration system CHINA Custom protection of intellectual rights 2004 tariff codes for goods under CEPA EUROPEAN UNION (EU) Amendment of the autonomous common customs tariff duties on certain industrial, agricultural and fishery products Customs cooperation agreement with China Duty-free entry for basmati rice from India and Pakistan Import duties in the cereal sector Import duties in the cereal sector Import duties in the cereals sector Import duties in the cereal sector Import duties in the cereal sector Import duties in the cereals sector Import duties in the rice sector Import duties in the rice sector Import duties in the rice sector Import duties in the rice sector Import duties in the rice sector Import duties in the rice sector Import duties in the rice sector Import duties in the rice sector Import duties in the rice sector Import duties in the sugar sector Representative prices and additional duties for the import of certain products in the sugar sector Special conditions for imports of fishery products originating in Viet Nam Standard values for the determination of the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables Temporary suspension of duties on certain industrial, agricultural and fishery products Unit values for the determination of customs value of certain perishable goods INDIA Amendment of rules concerning the filing of import manifest before arrival of vessel or aircraft Clarification of duty free entitlement scheme Duty on goods under the Bangkok Agreement reduced Peak rate of customs duty reduced Revocation of the suspended DEPB rates on engineering products Tariff values of palmoilein and soy products NEW ZEALAND New export clearance rules PAKISTAN List of tariff concessions for ECO and SAARC member countries New mechanism to expedite import procedures PHILIPPINES Duties on imported vehicle used-parts reduced Tariffs on tuna exports to EU lowered RUSSIAN FEDERATION Amendment of the oil export duty scale Import duty on alumina temporarily suspended Import duties on raw sugar to remain stable SINGAPORE Permit requirements for non-dutiable and non-controlled goods waived SRI LANKA Changes in the customs duties Custom imports tariff guide 2004 available e-Services for custom clearance Import duty on rice withdrawn THAILAND FTA with ASEAN on vegetables and fruits approved Tariffs on agricultural products from Cambodia abolished UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD) UNCTAD launches 4th version of ASYCUDA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Import duties on shrimps from Brazil, Ecuador, India and Thailand VIET NAM Automatic export licenses for EU-bound textiles Control of aquatic product quality for export to the EU First World Bank information centres in Southern Viet Nam Import tariff on petroleum products lowered New tariffs on liquor and motorbikes from the EU Procedures for textiles exported to U.S simplified Tariffs on steel imports cut WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO) Regional office in Asia Pacific inaugurated WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) WTO rules against subsidies for EU sugar and US cotton	CT November 2004 CT January 2004 CT January 2004 CT January 2004 CT June 2004 CT September 2004 CT January 2004 CT February 2004 CT August 2004 CT October 2004 CT November 2004 CT December2004 CT January 2004 CT February 2004 CT March 2004 CT April 2004 CT May 2004 CT June 2004 CT July 2004 CT August 2004 CT September 2004 CT March 2004 CT October 2004 CT April 2004 CT June 2004 CT August 2004 CT June 2004 CT May 2004 CT April 2004 CT February 2004 CT February 2004 CT August 2004 CT April 2004 CT March 2004 CT August 2004 CT March 2004 CT March 2004 CT November 2004 CT May 2004 CT February 2004 CT November 2004 CT May 2004 CT December 2004 CT August 2004 CT March 2004 CT November 2004 CT December 2004 CT April 2004 CT July 2004 CT September 2004 CT September 2004 CT June 2004 CT October 2004 CT July 2004 CT March 2004 CT May 2004 CT October 2004 CT November 2004 CT October 2004	11/2004 1/2004 1/2004 1/2004 6/2004 9/2004 1/2004 2/2004 8/2004 10/2004 11/2004 12/2004 1/2004 2/2004 3/2004 4/2004 5/2004 6/2004 7/2004 8/2004 9/2004 3/2004 10/2004 4/2004 6/2004 8/2004 6/2004 5/2004 4/2004 2/2004 2/2004 8/2004 4/2004 3/2004 8/2004 3/2004 3/2004 11/2004 5/2004 2/2004 11/2004 5/2004 12/2004 8/2004 3/2004 11/2004 12/2004 4/2004 7/2004 9/2004 9/2004 6/2004 10/2004 7/2004 3/2004 5/2004 10/2004 11/2004 10/2004
C. NON-TARIFF MEASURES (NT)
AUSTRALIA New import control on asbestos Reduced EU tariff quotas for rock lobster CHINA Amended anti-dumping regulation issued Anti-dumping investigation against imports of unbleached craft liner/linerboard from the Republic of Korea, Taiwan Province of China, Thailand and the United States of America Anti-dumping tax on steel coil terminated Details on the administration of import tariff quotas on certain wool, oil and sugar products promulgated Investigation on chloroprene rubber imported from the European Union, Japan and the United States of America extended Measures on import record of pharmaceuticals and procedures for the return of pharmaceuticals to the originating countries or regions Measures on quarantine supervision of imported and exported wood packaging material New identification measures to fight piracy Provisions on quarantine inspection of meat imports Tax rebate on import of integrated circuit products terminated EUROPEAN UNION (EU) Amendment of delivery obligations for cane sugar imported under the ACP Protocol and the India Agreement Amendment of import rules of certain textiles products from third countries Anti-dumping and countervailingt duties on graphite electrode systems originating in India Anti-dumping duties on polyethylene terephthalate from Australia and China Anti-dumping duties tube or pipe fittings from Thailand Anti-dumping duty on imports of silicon originating in China Anti-dumping duty on imports of sulphanilic acid originating in China and India Authorized transfers between the quantitative limits of textiles and clothing products originating in Viet Nam. Ban on imports of animal and meat products from China terminated Correction of preferential tariff quota for imports of raw cane sugar from the ACP States Countervailing duty on cotton-type bed linen from India Countervailing duty on imports of stainless steel wire from India 'De minimis' aid for the agriculture and fisheries sectors Double-checking system without quantitative limits on steel products from Kazakhstan Extension of the ban on imports of chicken products from certain Asian countries 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 Exemptions to the extension of anti-dumping duty on bicycles originating in China GSP scheme for the period 2002-2004 Health rules for imports into and transit through the EU of certain live ungulate animals. Import licenses for certain preserved mushrooms originating in China Import licenses for garlic for the period from 1 June to 31 August 2004 More time to introduce the new quota system in the sugar sector New models of official phytosanitary certificates for re-export of plants from third countries New quotas for certain products originating from China Operations to check conformity to the marketing standards applicable to certain fresh fruit carried out in New Zealand prior to import into the EU Protection against subsidized imports Quantitative limits for the import of textile products from Viet Nam Quantitative quotas on certain products originating in China Quantities to be allocated to importers from the EU quantitative quotas on certain products originating in China Sri Lanka granted special incentive arrangements Suspension of anti-dumping duty on coke of coal originating in China Tariff quotas for garlic imported from third countries Textile quotas for 2004 Textiles and clothing trade policy extended to new member states Transfers between the quantitative limits of textiles and clothing products originating in India Transfers between the quantitative limits of textiles and clothing products originating in Macao Transitional quotas on canned mushrooms and garlic imports from China INDIA Anti-dumping duties on vitrified and porcelain tiles from China Anti-dumping duty on oxo-alcohols from Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation Brazil removes anti dumping measures against Indian jute exports Exporters’ fee rebate available only to digitally signed applications Facility for export of goods and services to Latin America maintained Licensing restrictions for electricity imports waived New conditions for the import drugs under the advance licensing scheme Pre-shipment inspection of imports of unshredded scrap mandatory Rules of origin of framework agreement with Thailand INDONESIA Ban on imports of non-new capital goods JAPAN Beef imports from the U.S. resumed MYANMAR Myanmar imposes ban on rice exports PHILIPPINES Zero and one percent duty on imports of machinery and accessories RUSSIAN FEDERATION Ban imports of live cattle from countries with BSE Trade in animal products with EU continues THAILAND Ban on planting GMOs lifted Anti-dumping duty on steel extended for another five years UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Action regarding certain ductile iron waterworks fittings from China recommended Annual report on barriers to telecom trade Antidumping duties on imports of color televisions from China Anti-dumping measure against ironing tables from China Anti-dumping measure against plastic bags from China, Malaysia and Thailand Anti-dumping measures against ironing tables and plastic bags from China, Malaysia and Thailand Anti-dumping measures against shrimps and prawns from China and Viet Nam Cambodia Textile Status Report Congress approves the repeal of the tax breaks ruled illegal by the WTO Eligibility of Azerbaijan for GSP program under review GSP product and country practice review Import quotas for textile and apparel from Viet Nam reduced Imports of wild shrimp from Thailand embargoed. New rules for imports of wood packaging material Prior notice of all imported food required Safeguard actions on Chinese textiles and clothing products Tariff-rate quota allocations for raw cane sugar, refined sugar, and sugar-containing products for 2004-2005 VIET NAM New fees for garments exported to the EU and the U.S. Quotas on imported goods for 2004 WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) SPS special treatment measures Transition period for the elimination of export subsidy programmes extended	NT February 2004 NT April 2004 NT July 2004 NT May 2004 NT October 2004 NT November 2004 NT November 2004 NT August 2004 NT February 2004 NT March 2004 NT July 2004 NT October 2004 NT May 2004 NT March 2004 NT October 2004 NT September 2004 NT September 2004 NT April 2004 NT March 2004 NT August 2004 NT November 2004 NT May 2004 NT February 2004 NT August 2004 NT November 2004 NT September 2004 NT August 2004 NT December 2004 NT December 2004 NT January 2004 NT June 2004 NT June 2004 NT June 2004 NT February 2004 NT November 2004 NT January 2004 NT October 2004 NT April 2004 NT October 2004 NT March 2004 NT May 2004 NT January 2004 NT April 2004 NT November 2004 NT January 2004 NT April 2004 NT January 2004 NT March 2004 NT July 2004 NT September 2004 NT May 2004 NT November 2004 NT April 2004 NT October 2004 NT February 2004 NT August 2004 NT December 2004 NT October 2004 NT February 2004 NT November 2004 NT February 2004 NT June 2004 NT May 2004 NT October 2004 NT September 2004 NT October 2004 NT January 2004 NT May 2004 NT June 2004 NT July 2004 NT July 2004 NT August 2004 NT August 2004 NT April 2004 NT November 2004 NT December 2004 NT March 2004 NT June 2004 NT June 2004 NT November 2004 NT July 2004 NT January 2004 NT August 2004 NT March 2004 NT February 2004 NT December 2004 NT December 2004	2/2004 4/2004 7/2004 5/2004 10/2004 11/2004 11/2004 8/2004 2/2004 3/2004 7/2004 10/2004 5/2004 3/2004 10/2004 9/2004 9/2004 4/2004 3/2004 8/2004 11/2004 5/2004 2/2004 8/2004 11/2004 9/2004 8/2004 12/2004 12/2004 1/2004 6/2004 6/2004 6/2004 2/2004 11/2004 1/2004 10/2004 4/2004 10/2004 3/2004 5/2004 1/2004 4/2004 11/2004 1/2004 4/2004 1/2004 3/2004 7/2004 9/2004 5/2004 11/2004 4/2004 10/2004 2/2004 8/2004 12/2004 10/2004 2/2004 11/2004 2/2004 6/2004 5/2004 10/2004 10/2004 9/2004 1/2004 5/2004 6/2004 7/2004 7/2004 8/2004 8/2004 4/2004 11/2004 12/2004 3/2004 6/2004 6/2004 11/2004 7/2004 1/2004 8/2004 3/2004 2/2004 12/2004 12/2004
D. INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED INFORMATION (IT)
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION Asia-Pacific Business Forum Asian-Pacific fisheries threatened by over fishing Biosecurity planning and surveillance capacity measures Partnership fund to recover financially distressed companies Software freedom day in Asia ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) Review of strategy for private sector development BANGLADESH National biotechnology policy launched New opportunities for the private sector Protecting female garment workers BRUNEI New programme to encourage young entrepreneurship CAMBODIA Plan to develop the tourism sector CENTRAL ASIA REGION China and Kazakhstan to build pipe-line CHINA Amendments to the Corporate Law promulgated Business Council for Sustainable Development established Business net with Singapore launched Energy efficiency label system ready in 2005 First world wide-band launched in Beijing Forestation and paper making programme Measures for foreign-invested commercial enterprises New national standards for retail businesses Open source software alliance formed Open source software deal with France Quality mark for silk introduced Regulations on foreign-invested distribution sector take effect Requirements for the registration of business activities of enterprises State farms tighten links with ASEAN countries Tourism agreement with the EU COFFEE COMMUNITY Common code for the coffee community ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (ECO) Environmental agreement with UNEP signed EUROPEAN UNION (EU) Agreement on environmental liability Arrangements regarding imports of 2004 shipments of restrained T&C products into the EU EU accedes Madrid Protocol for the protection of trademarks Forum on Corporate Governance set up FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC) New custody standards for wood tracking FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) Free, open-source software to offer information to developing countries GLOBAL COMPACT Global Compact centre in Barcelona to promote corporate citizenship GLOBAL EARTH OBSERVATION SYSTEM OF SYSTEMS New scheme to monitor data from land, air, sea and space INDIA Concept paper on new companies act launched Exporters sign a memorandum with Kazakhstan Chamber Global Forum on business incubation New policy on auto fuel emissions New scheme to boost agricultural exports Trade grievance redressal committee established INDONESIA No extension for Indonesian textile quota Promoting sustainable tourism INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (ISO) New guidelines for ISO certifications New international standard for social responsibility JAPAN Change in position towards curbs in fishing subsidies KYRGYZSTAN Boost to small businesses and banking sector LAO PDR Agreement on labour cooperation with Thailand MALAYSIA European Commission to promote IT research and networking MONGOLIA First ADB’s report on the private sector NEPAL Joint business council with Bangladesh established NEW ZEALAND Access to investment for SMEs PACIFIC REGION Pacific Internet Partners Initiative underway PAKISTAN Boosting competitiveness of SMEs PHILIPPINES ADB supports Philippine private sector development Energy agreement with Thailand signed Expansion of exports coverage of CBU vehicles Incentives for SMEs in the electronic sector State-owned power plants sold off Support to electronic SMEs SINGAPORE Further deregulation of Singapore's power industry Singapore and the EU sign IP agreement SRI LANKA Agreement to promote SMEs with India THAILAND ADB supports private power generation EU business information centre established IT deal with China signed Government to support logistics industry TIMOR-LESTE UNIDO launches two projects to assist young entrepreneurs UNITED NATIONS (UN) UN General Assembly launches programme for the 2005 international year of microcredit UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD) International forum on creative industries launched in Brazil International raw materials fund proposed New guidelines on corporate environmental accounting New international tropical timber agreement underway New partnership on Information and Communication Technologies for Development UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP) Convention against organic pollutants enters into force Companies lag behind in non-financial reporting UNITED STATES OF AMERICA First investigation of online copyright piracy Micro financing facility lunched New tools for SMEs to access China's market Reebok first company to be accredited for fair labour Support to SMEs to expand presence in China U.S. joins SEED initiative VIET NAM Agreement on quarantine of farm products with China Blueprint to leverage open source software Boost to agricultural SMEs Getting ready for phasing-out of MFA Hanoi offers on-line business registration New laws to become effective from July 2004 New projects on the fisheries sector announced Viet Nam-Germany small and medium-sized enterprises association set up Viet Nam joins the Green Tea Association WORLD BANK Extractive industries transparency initiative endorsed WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (WIPO) Proposal of a development agenda for WIPO WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) WTO interim report on Brazil-U.S.A. cotton case	IT May 2004 IT September 2004 IT July 2004 IT July 2004 IT September 2004 IT October 2004 IT August 2004 IT July 2004 IT July 2004 IT April 2004 IT December 2004 IT June 2004 IT December 2004 IT February 2004 IT October 2004 IT October 2004 IT February 2004 IT March 2004 IT May 2004 IT September 2004 IT September 2004 IT November 2004 IT February 2004 IT May 2004 IT August 2004 IT December 2004 IT March 2004 IT October 2004 IT September 2004 IT March 2004 IT August 2004 IT August 2004 IT November 2004 IT November 2004 IT August 2004 IT August 2004 IT August 2004 IT September 2004 IT February 2004 IT December 2004 IT March 2004 IT October 2004 IT December 2004 IT January 2004 IT June 2004 IT January 2004 IT August 2004 IT July 2004 IT April 2004 IT May 2004 IT March 2004 IT February 2004 IT February 2004 IT February 2004 IT July 2004 IT January 2004 IT February 2004 IT March 2004 IT June 2004 IT July 2004 IT April 2004 IT April 2004 IT January 2004 IT January 2004 IT March 2004 IT March 2004 IT June 2004 IT September 2004 IT November 2004 IT October 2004 IT January 2004 IT September 2004 IT July 2004 IT March 2004 IT September 2004 IT July 2004 IT June 2004 IT December 2004 IT September 2004 IT July 2004 IT October 2004 IT May 2004 IT November 2004 IT October 2004 IT April 2004 IT December 2004 IT April 2004 IT November 2004 IT November 2004 IT February 2004 IT December 2004 IT May 2004 IT December 2004 IT January 2004 IT November 2004 IT May 2004	5/2004 9/2004 7/2004 7/2004 9/2004 10/2004 8/2004 7/2004 7/2004 4/2004 12/2004 6/2004 12/2004 2/2004 10/2004 10/2004 2/2004 3/2004 5/2004 9/2004 9/2004 11/2004 2/2004 5/2004 8/2004 12/2004 3/2004 10/2004 9/2004 3/2004 8/2004 8/2004 11/2004 11/2004 8/2004 8/2004 8/2004 9/2004 2/2004 12/2004 3/2004 10/2004 12/2004 1/2004 6/2004 1/2004 8/2004 7/2004 4/2004 5/2004 3/2004 2/2004 2/2004 2/2004 7/2004 1/2004 2/2004 3/2004 6/2004 7/2004 4/2004 4/2004 1/2004 1/2004 3/2004 3/2004 6/2004 9/2004 11/2004 10/2004 1/2004 9/2004 7/2004 3/2004 9/2004 7/2004 6/2004 12/2004 9/2004 7/2004 10/2004 5/2004 11/2004 10/2004 4/2004 12/2004 4/2004 11/2004 11/2004 2/2004 12/2004 5/2004 12/2004 1/2004 11/2004 5/2004
E. INVESTMENT-RELATED INFORMATION (IR)
AFGHANISTAN Afghanistan Investment Guarantee Facility boosted Inauguration of the Afghanistan International Bank New guarantee facility for investors AFRICA, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC REGION (ACP) Establishment of an ACP-EU Water Facility ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC) Business travelers card program expanded ASIA-PACIFIC REGION ADB helps develop BIMP-EAGA trade and investment database ABD new office in South Pacific region Fund to support microfinance institutions launched Trade finance facilitation program launched ASIAN REGION e-Asian fund to bridge digital divide AZERBAIJAN New opportunities for leasing BANGLADESH ADB signs agreement with Bangladesh bank for trade finance facilitation Country's second longest road bridge opens to traffic New project to improve power supply Web-database on banks and financial institutions launched CHINA ADB to promote the development of West China Administrative rules on the establishment of foreign invested export purchasing centres Amendment of rules on the management of foreign banks ASEAN- China investment fund launched Banks to get ready for the stock market Foreign exchange agreement with the U.S.A. Hainan Province reforms its non-government-invested project management system Hong Kong (China) commercial credit reference agency launched More Chinese firms authorized to enter futures market New derivatives trading regulation New forms for registration and business transformation of FIEs New provisions on insurance companies Preferential tax policies for agricultural products Private property endorsed Shenzhen Stock Exchange opens to the new SMEs Board