SOUTH-SOUTH ECONOMIC COOPERATION: ENHANCING GMS-INDIA RELATIONSHIP. CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics and Environment, 2007. Trade experts have identified South-South trade cooperation as a critical tool for helping developing countries diversify their exports beyond primary commodities and reduce their dependence on the developed world. Inspired by such claims, this study analyses how India and the three countries of the Greater-Mekong Subregion (GMS) - Cambodia, Lao PR, and Vietnam - might work toward greater economic cooperation. Drawing on the results of both field research and a thorough review of relevant literature, the authors provide a detailed account of current and historic patterns of trade and investment, and present recommendations as to how governmental trade and investment policies might be amended to promote business interaction in the region. For information on how to order a copy of the report email citee@cuts.org.
SOUTH-SOUTH ECONOMIC COOPERATION: EXPLORING THE IBSA INITIATIVE. CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics and Environment, 2007. Thanks to a host of new South-South preferential trade agreements, trade among developing countries has increased substantially in recent years and now accounts for over 10 percent of world trade, compared with only 6 percent in 1991. To build on this progress, in 2003 the Foreign Ministries of India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) established an ‘IBSA Dialogue Forum’ meant to increase economic cooperation among the three countries. In this report, the authors present a detailed analysis of the current trade relations among the IBSA countries, evaluate the impacts of various IBSA initiatives, and explore the possibilities for greater economic cooperation in the future. For information on how to order a copy of the report, email citee@cuts.org.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, BILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A STRATEGY NOTE. By Ellen ‘t Hoen. Center for International Environmental Law, 2007. Over 40 million people worldwide live with HIV, yet only 1.3 million of those infected currently have access to antiretroviral therapy, largely due to the high cost of the drugs. This paper examines the effects of free trade agreements on intellectual property rights, especially as related to access to medicines in developing countries. Writing for government officials, civil society groups, as well as other stakeholders, the author analyses emerging challenges and opportunities in the negotiation of intellectual property provisions in bilateral and regional free trade agreements. The report is available at http://www.ciel.org/Publications/IP_StrategyNote_Apr07.pdf.
THE EUROPEAN APPROACH TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS WITH THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC GROUP OF COUNTRIES. Center for International Environmental Law, 2007. This discussion paper addresses the EU’s recent attempts to impose TRIPS-plus standards on 76 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Drawing on a detailed analysis of recent trade negotiations, the authors conclude that, despite official statements to the contrary, gaining stricter intellectual property (IP) protection is a critical aim of EU officials as they negotiate trade agreements with ACP countries. The authors warn that the establishment of such provisions could undermine current multilateral alliances among developing nations, as only a handful of Latin American and Asian countries would be left standing in opposition to the expansion of IP rights in international fora such as WIPO and the WTO. To access the report visit http://www.ciel.org/Publications/EU_EPAs_Draft_18Apr07.pdf.