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In 1960, after just five months of negotiations, seven countries came together in Stockholm to sign the EFTA Convention – a pragmatic alternative to the European Economic Community (EEC).What started as a regional bloc has since grown into the EU's closest partner and a global network of 35 free trade agreements spanning 49 countries.For 65 years, EFTA has shaped open and cooperative trade, creating lasting benefits for governments, businesses and individuals worldwide.📸 Did you know? There are eight signatures on the EFTA Convention, not seven. The eighth belongs to Liechtenstein, which joined through a special protocol because of its Customs Union with Switzerland. Liechtenstein became a member of EFTA in 1991.#EFTA65
A good idea then. And we're reaping the fruit of this coalition today with new Free Trade Agreements across the world. A strong signal for free trade in a time of growing protectionism.
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"Singapore stands out as a top-tier hub for maritime dispute resolution, offering cultural fluency and world-class expertise in a strategic location. Its time zone and regional insight make it the preferred choice for complex, cross-border cases across Asia and beyond." –Toby Stephens, Head of Shipping, Asia atHFWSingapore’s maritime arbitration footprint is expanding rapidly.Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) recorded 95 new references in 2024 — a 73% increase year-on-year and 112% above its five-year average. Combined with SIAC and ICC figures, Singapore handled 168 maritime-related arbitrations — a 75% rise since 2022.This growth reinforces Singapore as the leading alternative for Asia-focused maritime disputes, closely followed by Hong Kong.Discover more in the report byHFW’sPaul Dean,Ruth Allan de Maldonado and Holly Colaço:https://lnkd.in/g9694VAt#Singapore#SCMA#SIAC#AsiaArbitration#ShippingDisputes#HFWInsights
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🎉 It’s a big day for trade with the EU’s neighbours! 1 November 2025 sees Moldova and Montenegro join two key Conventions which underpin a huge zone of facilitated trade. The Common Transit Convention and the Convention on the Simplification of Formalities in Trade in Goods make life easier for traders and customs authorities. Simpler procedures, reduced costs and enhanced controls streamline the movement of goods and ease congestion at the borders. The two countries are now part of a network that already includes the EU Member States, EFTA countries, Türkiye, North Macedonia, Serbia, the UK, Ukraine, and Georgia. In fact, Georgia joined in February, making 2025 a year of unprecedented growth for the Conventions! In Montenegro, accession strengthens trade links within the West Balkans region, while Moldova's membership complements strategic projects like the solidarity lanes connection to Ukraine. Learn more 👉https://lnkd.in/et-zutbk#EUTrade
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Expert in Capacity Building, Rules of Origin, Trade Facilitation, Customs Laws & Procedures, Leadership Development, Post Clearance Audit, Green Customs, Tariff Classification; and budding Researcher.
Did you know that in the year 2024, intra-East Africa Community (EAC) trade grew by about 22% whereas intra-Africa trade increased by about 8%? This growth is not only evidence to EAC's trade resilience but also the regional integration gains that have consistently been made over the years. This week, the World Customs Organisation, under the framework of the EU-WCO Origin for Africa Programme, supported the Third EAC Regional Task Force and Validation Meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda, to review EAC Rules of Origin (2015). The Meeting aimed to enhance the simplicity, transparency,and fairness of the rules of origin; make them reflective of today's economic realities in the Region; and to harmonise the rules with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Rules of Origin (RoO). It is imperative that Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa harmonise their respective free trade agreements (FTA) RoO to the AfCFTA RoO to ensure that intra-REC trade is not negatively impacted by unnecessarily stringent rules. Secondly, to minimise the impact of the sphagetti-bowl effect that arises from individual African countries implementing various FTAs, harmonisation of the rules of origin will facilitate compliance of economic operators to the rules of origin. If you wish to learn more about the various preferential trade agreements rules of origin in the East and Southern Africa countries, use this link to access a study undertaken by the WCO:https://lnkd.in/dGVKEJNm ---------💡Want to know more about the Programme?The#EUWCORoOAfricaProgramme, funded by the European Union, aims to facilitate and increase intra-African trade, trade between Africa and Europe, and trade between Africa and the rest of the world. The Programme is a concrete step taken by the EU and the World Customs Organization in consultation with key stakeholders to support African partners in implementing the#AfCFTA.Guillaume Gérout Suominen,Mette Werdelin Azzam,Badr Mouhcine,Lamia Frigui
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📅Today, 14 October,Artjoms Ursulskis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, represents team#Latvia at the EU's informal trade ministers meeting in Horsens (#Denmark).📺🎤Listen to a doorstep interview withArtjoms Ursulskis to hear what he has to say about#Latvia's position on the EU-US trade relations, and the ongoing processes of diversification of trade partnerships with#MERCOSUR,#Mexico,#India,#Australia,#Indonesia. ℹ️ More information on the informal meeting of trade ministershttps://lnkd.in/dECWwn3t#eu2025dk
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Gyeongju, South Korea—The Philippines and Peru have agreed to establish a Joint Trade Commission (JTC) to further strengthen trade and economic cooperation, a move seen to open new opportunities between Southeast Asia and Latin America. The announcement was jointly made by Philippine Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque and Peruvian Minister for Foreign Trade and Tourism Teresa Stella Mera Gómez on the sidelines of the APEC Summit last 1 November 2025.The JTC will serve as a formal platform for dialogue and cooperation aimed at expanding bilateral trade, diversifying trade, and exploring new areas of partnership.In 2024, bilateral trade between the Philippines and Peru reached USD 280.31 million, a 191% increase from the previous year, indicating strong momentum and promising potential for further growth under the JTC.
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Hogan Lovells PartnerAline Doussin was featured in Politico’s Morning Trade UK newsletter, sharing insights on the progress of the UK-Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] Free Trade Agreement.Aline commented on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ trade mission to Saudi Arabia and what it signals for the progress on the UK-GCC FTA and a potential imminent political agreement between the UK and the GCC in their FTA Talks. (The full article appears in Politico’s subscriber-only Morning Trade UK newsletter.)#HoganLovells#InternationalTrade#TradeLaw#FTA#GCC#SaudiArabia#TradePolicy#GlobalTrade
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The government has engaged with the United States to explore the possibility of a new trade agreement following the expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on 30 September 2025.The executive director in the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that Namibia took part in the Public Oral Hearing for the annual review of AGOA country eligibility for 2026.https://lnkd.in/dzYavVSW
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Government and Public Policy Student | IPS Volunteer | Akhuwat Ambassador to NDU | Millennium Fellowship Class of 2025
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have shared a strong partnership defined by a fraternal bond and mutual respect. Both countries have embarked on numerous collaborative endeavors, including robust maritime partnerships. The bilateral ties between the two nations can be strengthened through their maritime partnership, making it a pivotal point in their collaborative efforts. Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia emphasizes the diversification of its maritime infrastructure. Pakistan, which is working on the development of ports and logistical capabilities, is a promising ally in executing this venture.The complementary strengths of both countries enable diverse regional cooperation. Targeting joint port development, technological exchange, and strategic maritime projects brings mutual benefits. Saudi Arabia’s investments in maritime trade diversification, combined with Pakistan’s long coastline and port access, will create opportunities for investment and economic growth, supporting Vision 2030 and strengthening Pakistan’s maritime sector.To enhance trade, Pakistan should diversify its trade portfolio and explore new markets to address the trade imbalance. While existing trade relations and support from the SIFC have been beneficial, direct negotiations and removing trade barriers will further strengthen bilateral ties. Expanding product range by exploring and incorporating technology, direct interaction with the Pakistani business community, investment in Gwadar port, leveraging Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and Preferential Trade Policies, showcasing Pakistan's maritime services, enhancing logistics and infrastructure would assist in bringing the vision to life. Additionally, attracting FDIs, promoting cultural exchange, enhancing R&D, providing adequate training, collaborative environmental initiatives, HR development, and promoting maritime tourism are critical aspects in fortifying trade between the two states. A strategic alignment across maritime, trade, and research domains is imperative to institutionalize long-term cooperation.Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad #IPS#InstituteofPolicyStudies#PublicAdvocacy
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