On the margins of the OECD Trade Committee, the US and 14 economies signed a joint ministerial statement to address structural excess capacity and production in key manufacturing sectors. The initiative launches multilateral work on non-market practices contributing to global overcapacity. This is a named plurilateral policy outcome with direct trade remedy and market access […]
Topic Archives:Market Access
Thailand-EU FTA Approaches Finish Line: Round 10 Concludes with Push to Complete Negotiations Within 2026
The 10th round of Thailand-EU FTA negotiations was held in Phuket from September 28 to October 6, 2026. Significant progress was made on text chapters, with remaining issues focused on market access and policy-level matters. Both sides aim to conclude negotiations by end of 2026.
Thailand Leads ASEAN in Signing Upgraded ASEAN–Hong Kong Investment Agreement
Thailand’s Deputy PM and Commerce Minister led the 10th ASEAN–Hong Kong Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, where ASEAN and Hong Kong signed an upgraded investment agreement. Thailand served as ASEAN coordinator and co-chair for negotiations with Hong Kong, advancing concrete trade and investment cooperation outcomes.
Sri Lanka Department of Commerce Holds Stakeholder Meeting on EU MOAH Food Regulation Compliance
Sri Lanka’s Department of Commerce convened a stakeholder meeting on 24 September 2026 to assess readiness for the EU’s draft regulation on Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food, set to take effect 1 January 2027. The meeting gathered government agencies, research institutions, chambers of commerce, and food testing laboratories to identify gaps in testing […]
Ministry of Industry and Trade Issues Circular 65/2026/TT-BCT on Rice Export Business
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued Circular 65/2026/TT-BCT governing rice export business operations. The circular introduces new regulations on rice export quota allocation. Specific provisions cover licensing and conditions for enterprises engaged in rice exports.
Sri Lanka Secures Market Access for Fresh Pineapples to Pakistan
Sri Lanka and Pakistan have finalized phytosanitary import conditions enabling the export of fresh Sri Lankan pineapples to Pakistan. The agreement follows years of technical discussions and regulatory engagement between the two governments. This opens a new bilateral agricultural trade channel for Sri Lankan pineapple exporters.
World First New Zealand-Singapore Essential Supplies Agreement Now in Force
The Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES) between New Zealand and Singapore has entered into force, marked by a ceremony in Auckland. This is described as a world-first bilateral agreement covering trade in essential supplies. No further details on specific product coverage or tariff commitments are available from the snippet.
UAE trade agreement delivering the goods
New Zealand’s FTA with the UAE has boosted goods exports by 7% to $1.4 billion in its first year of operation. The release highlights concrete trade flow outcomes from the agreement’s implementation.
Indonesia Halal Market: New Regulations Businesses Need to Know
The article outlines new Halal certification regulations in Indonesia that Vietnamese businesses must comply with to access the Indonesian market. It covers mandatory Halal labeling and certification requirements affecting food and consumer product exports. These represent non-tariff market access conditions relevant to Vietnamese exporters targeting Indonesia.
Taiwan Establishes Inter-Agency Mechanism to Restrict Imports of Forced-Labor Goods
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan approved two operational frameworks on July 29, 2025, establishing a review committee jointly chaired by the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Economic Affairs to identify and restrict imports of goods produced with forced labor. Under the mechanism, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will invoke Trade Act Article 11 to ban such […]