Page 31 - Fta News Today

The European Union (EU) is waiting for Indias response to its proposal for a dispute settlement mechanism under the bilateral investment protection pact being negotiated alongside a free trade agreement (FTA). The EU Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, stated that progress has been made in the FTA negotiations but there is still much work to be done.

On the sidelines of G20 trade and investment ministers meeting, she also said overall visa liberalisation issues do not fall in the ambit of trade pacts and these are immigration issues. Indian industry has sought easy access for domestic professionals. “We have closed many chapters… perhaps the simpler tasks. We are now in the final stages (of FTA negotiations), I cant give a deadline. Anything can happen,” she said.

"An FTA agreement is very close for a final call with the UK and I think negotiations with Canada are also progressing and I expect that to come to a conclusion sooner than later," Sitharaman said. She further said the finance ministry and commerce ministry are working closely on trade agreements with different countries.

Sitharaman said that the government is continually making effort for FTA with UK, Canada, EFTA countries along with the commerce ministry. EFTA includes Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland

Nirmala Sitharaman said an agreement is very close, as Britain’s Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch visits India for a G20 meeting

When asked about the UKs demand on import duty concessions on auto, whiskey and dairy products, Piyush Goyal said India and the UK both are pressing hard for their requests and concerns.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is keen to resume negotiations for a potential trade agreement with India, according to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The GCC, consisting of six Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is Indias largest trading bloc. Goyal revealed that several GCC member nations have individually approached India for bilateral agreements.

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is bringing back its International Festival this September. The free event features live dancing, music, food, and crafts, and a variety of other activities that are inspired by all of the different cultures that call Northwest Arkansas home.

On the sidelines of G20 trade and investment ministers meeting, she also said overall visa liberalisation issues do not fall in the ambit of trade pacts and these are immigration issues. Indian industry has sought easy access for domestic professionals. “We have closed many chapters… perhaps the simpler tasks. We are now in the final stages (of FTA negotiations), I cant give a deadline. Anything can happen,” she said.

The impending shutdown of contractor and developer Savarino Companies has raised uncertainty about the future of five significant projects in Buffalo, Lockport and Westfield - including the DL&W Terminal, Welchs Building and F&M Building - but at least three of them could continue as planned as long as owner Samuel Savarino can find a new partner to handle the construction work.