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Tropical Fruit Producers Look Toward Cooperation
Government officials from tropical fruit producing and consuming nations last week met in Thailand to look at opportunities for co-operation. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) organised the gathering. The meeting was intended as “not just a means for exchanging information, [but also to serve as] a potential forum for promoting the development…
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Challenges to Trade in Dangerous Products: Asbestos, Pesticides
Canada last week announced it was seeking formal WTO consultations over the French ban on asbestos imports. Canada is the world’s largest asbestos exporter, exporting approximately US$210 million worth of asbestos in 1996. France represents only about five percent of Canada’s exports, but Canada is more worried about other countries taking…
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Pakistan Carries Out Nuclear Tests: Possible Trade and Economic Implications
Pakistan last week conducted five nuclear tests in apparent retaliation against nuclear tests conducted by India in May. Pakistan was strongly criticised by many Governments including Russia, Germany, the UK and France. The U.S., the largest single trading partner to both Pakistan and India, had hoped to use the threat of economic sanctions to deter…
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GMOs, CODEX: Controversy on Labelling Rules
European Union agricultural ministers last week approved labelling requirements for food products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The EU plan will require mandatory labelling of a food product if a GMO is present. The EU plan also calls for voluntary labelling of product declaring that it definitely does not contain GMOs. The plan adopted by agricultural…
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Asean Pledges Continued Trade Liberalization
Officials with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last week emphasised the group’s commitment to trade liberalisation in the wake of the financial crisis that has rocked regional economies. “ASEAN reiterated that in spite of the prevailing unfavourable financial and economic conditions. . .ASEAN is fully committed to meeting WTO obligations,” according to a…
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Accession Update: EU, U.S. Remain Unimpressed With China's Bid
EU Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan last week criticised as insufficient the latest Chinese offer on industrial tariffs in its bid for WTO accession. Sir Leon said China’s comprehensive tariff offer including tariff cuts on 5,500 industrial products “in a number of ways” falls short of EU expectations. “While [the Chinese offer] represents a significant…
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In Brief: A New Section With Trade and Sustainable Development News That Didn't Make The Headline
Endangered species ranging from snails to elephants are seeking refuge at a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting that started in Caracas, Venezuela last week. The 14th meeting of CITES’ Fauna Committee will, inter alia, discuss regional management plans for conserving sea turtles. “Environment: Endangered Species Seek Assistance at CITES Meeting”,…
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Events/Resources
EVENTS TRADE POLICY AND SUSTAINABILITY: REGIONAL APPROACHES, the policy dialogue convened by ICTSD and originally announced for September has been re-scheduled. It will now take place on 29-30 October, 1998 at the Centre International des Conférences de Genève. For information please contact ICTSD. GLOBALIZATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, Paris, 25th June 1998. This Conference, organised by the…