Philippines, EU resume free trade agreement talks
MANILA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines and the European Union (EU) resumed negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday, the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced Tuesday. "Strengthening economic engagement with the EU remains a priority for the Philippines," said Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, adding that the Philippines aims for an ambitious, b.....»»
Philippines-European Union FTA talks resume in H2
The Philippines and the European Union (EU) are looking to resume formal negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in the early part of the second half of the year, according to the Department of Trade and Industry......»»
NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand's ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. "I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union of our ratification of the New Zealand European Union Free Trade Agreement (NZ-EUFTA)......»»
PH OKs revised Asean free trade pacts with ANZ, Hong Kong
MANILA — The Philippines, a founding member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), has agreed to amend two important free trade agreements to benefit investors, traders, and exporters. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced on Thursday that it signed the Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade.....»»
European businesses welcome restart of FTA talks
European businesses welcomed the restart of talks between the Philippines and the European Union for a free trade agreement, as they emphasized the importance of trade deals in promoting economic growth and stronger ties......»»
Ceasefire talks with Israel, Hamas expected to resume
Ceasefire talks with Israel, Hamas expected to resume.....»»
NZ - UAE trade agreement consultation begins
Following a meeting with UAE Trade Minister Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, Trade Minister Todd McClay has launched public consultation for a trade agreement between New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "The UAE is a top-20 export market for New Zealand, and our largest market in the Middle East, with exports increasing 17% i.....»»
Mendiola massacre victims honored by continuing demands for peace talks, genuine agrarian reform
“Our commitment to lasting peace never ended. For the martyrs of Mendiola, we continue to assert peace talks [in different administrations] together with the KMP, and we acknowledge the recent breakthroughs in the Oslo Joint Statement, a sign for the resumption of peace talks." The post Mendiola massacre victims honored by continuing demands for peace talks, genuine agrarian reform appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Military in North rejects CPP s calls for peace talks
The military stationed in the northern provinces rejected calls by the Communist Party of the Philippines to resume the stalled peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines......»»
IBPAP eyeing new markets in Europe
The umbrella group of information technology-business process management firms in the country is aiming to grow and tap new markets in Europe as the Philippines and European Union resume negotiations for a free trade agreement......»»
‘High-level’ US trade mission to arrive in PH next week
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry announced that a “high-level” US trade delegation is arriving next week to enhance “commercially meaningful partnerships.” According to DTI Foreign Trade Service Officer Jollan Llaneza, the delegation, led by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual......»»
NDFP consultants welcome return of peace talks to national level
Detained National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultants welcome reported dialogues to revive stalled formal peace negotiations with the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Government of the Republic of the Philippines, expressing hope to join the talks if efforts succeed. The post NDFP consultants welcome return of peace talks to national level appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Trade Minister heads to Abu Dhabi for key WTO negotiations
Trade Minister Todd McClay travels to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) today, to take up his role as Vice Chair of the negotiations.The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body within the WTO and meets every two years. Trade ministers will negotiate the reform of agriculture trade rules, E-commerce, fisheries subsidi.....»»
Resumption of FTA talks seen to spur higher EU investments
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority expects investments from European companies to increase with the resumption of the Philippines – European Union free trade agreement negotiations......»»
French Farmers Protest Unfair Competition in EU Free-Trade Agreements
French Farmers Protest Against Unfair Trade Agreements Imposed by EU French farming unions have taken to the streets to protest against free-trade agreements imposed by.....»»
Rights group: Terror tag vs peace consultants shows ‘duplicity of Marcos in pursuing talks’
The resolutions against the two women NDFP consultants and the revolutionary groups were issued soon after the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration and the NDFP issued a joint statement on Nov. 28, 2023 declaring their intention to pursue the peace talks. The post Rights group: Terror tag vs peace consultants shows ‘duplicity of Marcos in pursuing talks’ appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Philippines still interested in CPTPP membership
The Philippines is still interested in becoming a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as the membership is expected to create new relations with economies outside the country’s existing bilateral free trade deals, according to Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty......»»
Philippines external trade drops 2.1 pct in January
MANILA, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' total external trade in goods declined 2.1 percent year-on-year in January to 16.09 billion U.S. dollars, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Tuesday. Of the total external trade in January, 63.1 percent were imported goods, while the rest were exported goods, the agency said. The PSA said trade deficit in January amounted to 4.22 billion dollars.....»»
DTI wants FTA with South Korea ratified by mid-year
The Department of Trade and Industry wants the free trade agreement between the Philippines and South Korea to be ratified by the middle of this year......»»
‘Government should help exporters hurdle EU barriers’
The government must seek the removal of some trade barriers imposed by the European states to allow exporters to maximize the opportunities of the country’s prospective free trade agreement with Europe, an industry group said......»»
10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»