TRADE-INDIA: Kerala Angered Over FTA With ASEAN

Southern Kerala state is known for the lush expanses of cardamom, pepper, tea and rubber that grow on its misty hills, and the bountiful catches of fish on a coastline punctuated by lagoons and backwaters. But a cloud hovers over this picture of plenty - a free trade deal with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

DEVELOPMENT-CUBA: Water Scarce at the 'Singing Frog'

Canta Rana, which somewhat ironically translates as "Singing Frog", is more than just a neighbourhood in this town in the drought-stricken eastern Cuban province of Holguín. Here, at the highest point in the area, which provides a view of the entire town and the sugar mill tower, there is a huge tank marked by rust, the passage of time and the scarcity of water.

LEBANON: Stepping Nearer the WTO

Lebanon could be stepping closer to joining the WTO following years of political instability that have held up reforms.

TRADE: WTO Report Chose “Serendipitous” Topic

The central focus of the WTO annual report - the tricky balance between the need to protect national production and the negative economic impacts of such measures during times of crisis - was actually chosen before the current meltdown, but turned out to be just what the doctor, or the world trade body, ordered.

G8: Doha Deal Begins to Look Nearer

Clear signs are emerging at the G8 summit here of progress towards concluding new terms for international trade.

G8: The Five Throw a Challenge

"The world needs a new global governance," the G5 declared Wednesday, "the construction of which must be based on inclusive multilateralism." As rhetoric goes, this might sound like more of the same. But the time and place of that declaration gave the words a new significance.

TECHNOLOGY: Rare Metals Could Trigger Next Trade War

Used in electric car motors and wind turbines, neodymium, a "rare earth metal," is at the epicentre of the race between wealthy and emerging nations to create green technologies, while poorer countries appear to be relegated to spectator status.

TRADE: Russia Joining, Joining…

After years of negotiations on joining the WTO, Russia is still far from meeting the requirements set forth by the organisation.

TRADE: More Openness, No Major Changes in US 'Return' to WTO

The new U.S. administration’s first appearance on the WTO scene demonstrated "a willingness to engage in dialogue, and greater openness," but in substance "it did not show major differences with the past," said one negotiator, commenting on U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk’s visit to this Swiss city.

EUROPE: Made in Israeli Settlements, But Never Mind

European Union officials are seeking evidence to support claims that fruit and vegetables from Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories are being exported under false pretence.

ECONOMY-SINGAPORE: Perils of Globalisation

This tiny island republic sits on trillions of dollars in foreign reserves. Yet, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a BBC interview this month that his country cannot spend its way out of the economic downturn, until the global economy heals.

ECONOMY-SRI LANKA: Conditions Worsen For Women Workers

Ramani, 26, sits inside her small, dimly-lit boarding house room, cutting vegetables, in this industrial town outside Colombo. She plans to return to her rural village in May to get married.

ECONOMY: A Fair Way to Beat the Gloom

The economic depression unfolding around the world has not touched trade in products from developing countries that certify respect for social and labour fairness, human rights and environmental standards, according to groups engaged in fair trade.

ENERGY-CHINA: On Oil Shopping Spree

The major coup scored by Chinese diplomats in sealing a string of bulk volume energy deals in the past few weeks signals a new phase in Beijing’s energy diplomacy, deployed to secure long-term resources for the country’s power-hungry economy, according to analysts here.

ECONOMY-CHINA: Consumption Coupons Sans Protectionism?

Under pressure to address trade imbalances by boosting domestic demand, China has approved the handing out of consumption coupons. The measure, touted as China’s antidote to economic recession, is free of protectionist overtones like the contentious "buy American" in the U.S. economic stimulus bill.

TRADE: South Africa in Growing Conflict With EU

Brussels officials have rejected calls from three southern African governments for a reassessment of a new trade accord with the European Union.

ECONOMY: China Warns Against Protectionism

China is worried that the lingering financial crisis could unleash a spiral of protectionist policies across the globe, which could further dent its trade-dependent economy.

CHINA/US: Obama Era May See More Trade Friction

China is entering the Obama era on a defensive note. Angered by U.S. charges that its glut of savings was the root cause for the global credit bubble, Beijing has chided Washington for being ungrateful and hinted at reviewing its long-standing policy of buying U.S. debt.

MIDEAST: Energy Security Guides China’s Approach

China's pro-active stance in finding a settlement to the latest crisis in the Middle East - a trouble spot which does not normally figure on Beijing's list of top foreign policy priorities - suggests heightened attention to energy security for the country's power-hungry economy.

DEVELOPMENT: Africa May Face ‘Centuries’ of Poverty

Extreme poverty will continue to blight sub-Saharan Africa for another 200 years unless action to overcome it is intensified, a new report has suggested.

CHINA/US: Wealth of Nations Redefined

Chinese and United States leaders have hailed the 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries as one of the most defining bilateral ties of the 20th century, but Beijing and Washington are celebrating the anniversary in subdued mood.