Category: Featured

A FORMER correspondent for International News Services has published a memoir about the four years she lived in Myanmar.

By Kaci Racelma, in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria; and Paul Cochrane, in Beirut 

This article appeared last March (2012) in Commercial Crime International, a specialist title run by the International Chamber of Commerce. It foreshadowed the Islamist-related unrest and rebellion that actually occurred later in Mali and Algeria….

COMMERCIAL crime may not be as omnipresent in North Africa as in some other parts of the world, but companies operating in the region have risks to contend with. Corruption is rife, smuggling across the borders with Sub-Saharan countries is a major activity, and terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) are in the ascendancy. Kaci Racelma and Paul Cochrane take a detailed look at these problems.

By Wang Fangqing

China, a nation once so secretive about sex, is determined to introduce sex education as early as primary schools. On December 12, China’s Ministry of Education released a draft of the National Standard for Primary School Teachers that included a requirement that teachers “get the knowledge and methods of puberty and sexual education.” 

 Beijing and Shanghai, the two most developed cities in China, launched sex education programs in selected local primary schools months ago along with the textbooks: “Steps of Growth” in Beijing and “Boys and Girls” in Shanghai, both presented in manga style to appeal to the young students.

By Wang Fangqing

China, a nation once so secretive about sex, is determined to introduce sex education as early as primary schools. On December 12, China’s Ministry of Education released a draft of the National Standard for Primary School Teachers that included a requirement that teachers “get the knowledge and methods of puberty and sexual education.” 

Beijing and Shanghai, the two most developed cities in China, launched sex education programs in selected local primary schools months ago along with the textbooks: “Steps of Growth” in Beijing and “Boys and Girls” in Shanghai, both presented in manga style to appeal to the young students.

By Paul Cochrane, in Beirut

Saudi Arabia’s failure to secure a wide-ranging atomic energy treaty with the USA, continues to push the oil-rich country into the arms of other nuclear suiters, experts on the kingdom have argued. The Saudi's plan is to invest USD112 billion over the next 20 years to build 16 nuclear power plants (NPPs) to offset rising domestic energy demand and retain its position as a leading hydrocarbons exporter.

By Keith Nuthall, International News Services

Britain’s recent refusal to sign a new European Union (EU) treaty that would impose tougher controls over the level of budget deficits EU governments can run might seem like prudence, given the appalling state of the Euro. But the failure of Britain to negotiate itself a real say in how Eurozone members control public spending poses grave risks for the UK and its financial sector.

This e-book is available from International News Services for US dollars USD 199; GBPounds GBP 125; Euro EUR 145, Canadian dollars CAN 196, Mexican peso MXN 2,391, Japanese Yen JPY 16,582.

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By Paul Cochrane, in Beirut 

Chapter 1: 2001 

Perhaps the biggest news in 2001 was China’s admission as a member of the World Trade Organisation, which opened countless trade avenues but caused significant anxiety for China’s competitors. Meanwhile, governments prepared for the slow abolition of textile quotas with the phase-out of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing. In March, for instance, the European Union (EU) removed its textile quotas for Sri Lanka, Bosnia and the Ukraine, widening the import market for those producers in exchange for lower tariffs on EU exports. In July, the European Commission issued a warning to the European textile industry to change its structure to remain competitive in light of the ATC (agreement on textiles and clothing) phase-out.  

*9,500 words and 50 articles of varying lengths 

Other articles in 2001 include:  

*EU LOSES INDIAN BED LINEN APPEAL AT WTO

*OLAF REPORTS GERMAN-MALAYSIAN SCAM

*US HOUSE DOUBLES DUTY FREE AFRICAN QUOTAS

*SAFETY FOUND WANTING IN 20 AFRICAN FACTORIES 

Chapter 2: 2002 

Significant issues in 2002 included the beginning of India and US’s multi-year battle over rules of origin legislation, and frustrating diplomatic wrangles over the WTO’s ATC phase-out. Grumbling exporters and defendant importers could not agree to a final deadline for an official report on the issue, leaving unresolved issues and frustrated stakeholders. The WTO, perhaps in response to the vicious battle between India and the US, launched an investigation into creating a set of global rules of origin regulations, a debate which would also rage on for years. 

*15,000 words and 101 articles of varying lengths. 

Other articles in 2002 include: 

*BLACK MARKET CLOTHES HURT INDONESIA TEXTILE TRADE

*EU MINISTERS APPROVE BED LINEN ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES FOR INDIA*SHORT CHAIN PARAFFIN BANNED IN LEATHER PRODUCTION

*EU EXTENDS VAT REDUCTIONS OPTION FOR TEXTILE SERVICES 

Chapter 3: 2003 

Chapter 3 follows the textile industry as it crept closer to quota abolition and a liberalised market. The European Union (EU) announced sweeping reforms to its textile trade regulations, and at the WTO the ongoing Indian-EU anti-dumping dispute ruled for India in an appeal, overturning yet another ‘final’ decision. This battle would flip-flop several more times before finally being resolved for good. Meanwhile, cotton became a hot issue in August, as subsidy reforms got under way at the EU and WTO to much global debate. 

*4,800 words and 80 articles of varying lengths 

Other articles in 2003 include:  

*US SIGNS UNPRECEDENTED TEXTILE DEAL WITH VIETNAM

*INDIA LOSES RULES OF ORIGINS DISPUTE WITH US

*HFCF EMISSIONS REPORT CALLS FOR FLUORINATED GAS BAN

*MALAYSIA TEXTILE SECTOR COULD DISAPPEAR, NATION FEARS 

Chapter 4: 2004 

Among the biggest headlines was the US-Australian free trade agreement for the textile industry, which received mixed reviews from affected parties. As the ATC quota deadline approached, major textile countries also began to consider their options; a report in the EU predicted economic pain for the European textile industry, vulnerable to demand and high costs. Chinese production was predicted to soar to new heights under the ATC agreement, staking market shares from other nations, building a textile expire. In response, the EU vowed to monitor China for a year after quota abolition, reinstating quotas if necessary.  *11,000 words and 74 articles of varying lengths. 

Other articles in 2004 include:  

*EU EXPANDS IMPORT QUOTAS IN PREP FOR NEW MEMBERS

*NETHERLANDS TO CONTINUE WITH SPECIAL VAT PROCEDURES

*ATC REPORT SUPPORTS PREFERENTIAL TARIFFS FOR LOSING MARKET

*US AND PAKISTAN NEGOTIATING MAJOR TRADE TREATY 

Chapter 5: 2005 

As the global textile industry abolished quotas for good, reporters documented how the ATC phase-out agreement had changed the global textile sector. Almost immediately, short-term job losses were predicted in sectors like the leather industry, and China’s clothing market share began to grow remarkably fast, sparking restrictions and temporary quotas in the EU. The EU’s REACH chemical control programme was approved, creating debate and controversy for the dye sector especially.  

*7,200 words and over 50 articles of varying lengths 

Other articles in 2005 include:  

*EU-CHINA CUSTOMS DEAL TO FIGHT COUNTERFEIT CLOTHING

*DYE INDUSTRY SUPPLIED SADDAM KICKBACKS IN IRAQ

*EU TO IMPOSE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON CHINESE/SAUDI POLYESTER

*AFRICAN COTTON PRODUCERS WIN SUBSIDIES FIGHT IN HONG KONG 

Chapter 6: 2006 

Chapter 6 follows the textile industry through its ongoing trade and policy changes, and its second year of market liberalisation. At the WTO, Doha development round negotiators worked on liberalising the international dye sector, while the EU continued to review and revise its cotton subsidies plan under increased pressure from West Africa and other producer countries. China and South Africa, meanwhile, worked throughout the year to resolve an ugly spat over textile quotas, with China coming out victorious.  

*10,500 words and almost 50 articles of varying lengths 

Other articles in 2006 include:  

*AZO DYE CONTAMINATION IN PRODUCTS DESPITE BAN

*BIN LADEN TRADEMARK CASE LAUNCHED AT THE ECJ

*GLOBAL DEAL GIVES FREE MARKET ACCESS TO POOR COTTON PRODUCERS

*VIETNAM MEMBERSHIP OF WTO WILL CREATE TEXTILE TRADE 

Chapter 7: 2007 

In January, Vietnam was formally welcomed into the WTO, giving another major textile and clothing producer access to world markets. The EU expanded its trade deal with Belarus despite its ongoing human rights abuses, and the EU also desperately tried to make last-minute trade deals with China before the end of the last WTO-authorised trade controls in January 2008.   

*5,200 words and over 20 articles of varying lengths 

Other articles in 2007 include:  

*EUROPEAN STANDARD ON CLOTHING SIZES TO CHANGE BRITISH SIZING CUSTOMS

*EUROPEAN COMMISSION PREDICTS LEATHER COMMERCE GAINS FROM ASIA TRADE DEALS

*INDIAN TEXTILE INDUSTRY STRUGGLES TO SURVIVE RUPEE HIKE WITH LABOUR LIBERALISATION PLANS

*EU PLANS TO MATCH DYE PACKAGING WITH UN STANDARDS 

Chapter 8: 2008 

The EU compiled a host of textile naming regulations and laws into one EU-wide regulation, and the WTO predicted lower leather duties across the globe as it neared the end of its development round in Doha. By the end of the year, the EU was sparking controversy as it reviewed its anti-dumping duties imposed on China and Vietnam leather products, extending the duties for a year while the investigation continued.  

*2,500 words, including 10 extended articles 

Other articles in 2008 include:  

*DISCORD AMONGST MEMBER STATES STYMIES ANTIDUMPING REFORMS

*POLAND FACES COURT ACTION OVER LOW CHILDREN’S CLOTHES VAT RATES

*EU FASHION INDUSTRY TO BENEFIT FROM ONCOMING EU-BOSNIA TRADE DEAL

*EUROPEAN COMMISSION PLANS TO INCREASE RAW MATERIALS SECURITY – INCLUDING LEATHER 

Chapter 9: 2009 

This follows textile and clothing international law and regulatory developments to the end of June. The EU banned seal product imports, which sparked a Canadian complaint at the WTO and created debate across the globe. Earlier in the year, the European Commission proposed doubling the life span of production-linked cotton subsidies, extending global deals until 2018. In the US, new president Barack Obama struggled to uphold his protectionist ideals while negotiating lower trade barriers for textiles at the WTO.   

*6,000 words and over 20 articles of varying lengths 

Other articles in 2009 include:  

*EUROPEAN COMMISSION CALLS FOR MANUFACTURER IDENTIFIERS ON ALL CLOTHING LABELS

*HEALTH CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT CARBON NANOTUBES AND SILVER NANOPARTICLES

*EUROPEAN COMMISSION WANT CURBS ON USE OF RFID TAGS

*SOUTH KOREAN FIBRE PRODUCER WINS FOUR-YEAR LEGAL BATTLE TO CUT DUMPING DUTIES

Although the EU faced delays in its biocides environmental health review, it forged ahead on other environmental initiatives such as restrictions on polluting dyes, pushing ahead with chemical registration through its REACH programme, approved more comprehensible textile labelling reforms, and defined nanotechnology health regulations. The EU’s Globalisation Adjustment Fund benefitted Spain. And international knitwear producers gained legal ammunition against counterfeiters through the new multilateral Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). The OECD claimed its shared safety test data had saved the sector millions of dollars.

*12,797 words, and over 20 articles of varying lengths

Other articles in 2010 include:

*BRUSSELS PLAN TO HELP LITHUANIAN TEXTILE AND CLOTHING WORKERS

*OECD-APPROVED CHEMICAL SAFETY TESTS FACING RECOGNITION IN INDIA AND BRAZIL

*UNIDO LAUNCHES NEW GLOBAL BIOTECHNOLOGY NETWORK

*IFC HELPS MAKE BANGLADESH TEXTILE INDUSTRY CLEANER AND GREENER

*ECJ REJECTS CALVIN KLEIN TRADEMARK LEGAL BID

*REACH RELEASES WEBLINK FOR CHECKING REGISTRATIONS

*FINAL TEXT OF ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TREATY RELEASED

*‘MADE IN’ LABELLING LEGISLATION DIVIDES MEMBER STATES

By Emma Jackson, International News Services

Global news agency International News Services Ltd – in association with world-leading business publisher Aroq Ltd - has released a major new e-book compiling global textile regulation news and analysis since 2001. This comprehensive 187 page report offers clothing and textile companies, consultants and lobbyists a survey of the sector’s rapid evolution to a free, global market in the last 10 years. The report is a detailed backgrounder of the last decade’s textile policy, collected and arranged in a concise document with monthly summaries to direct and help select topics and an essential background brief for marketers seeking to break into new markets, or lobbyists wanting to understand the rationale behind trade regulations they want changed.

Katherine Dunn, International News Services 

This summer in a characteristic feat of headline grabbing, the Danish People’s Party, or the Dansk Folkparti, announced their proposal to stem the flow of non-Western immigrants into the country. But such a pronouncement was nothing new. The party has made its name on an anti-immigration platform in this small, still culturally homogenous Scandinavian country.  

By Keith Nuthall, International News Services

By Keith Nuthall, International News Services 

With the British general election looming this week and the prospect of a change in government, one issue seems to electrify UK electors and politicians above all others, and that is immigration. In a sense, this is not surprising. What could be more an issue of public policy that affects people’s daily lives that the management of who lives in a city, community, neighbourhood or even street?

By Karryn Miller, International News Services

Inter-racial marriages may be on the rise throughout Asia but they still hold a minority position. Homogenous countries like Japan and Korea are slowly adapting to the idea of mixed families but legally and socially there is room for improvement. In these countries acceptance of multicultural couplings goes from one extreme to other being both a source of glamour and a point of discrimination.

By Keith Nuthall, International News Services

India’s regulatory and legal framework is converging fast with the international system, however there are many unique political, social and historical influences that make it imperative for the overseas business to take a cautious approach while entering the country. According to a new book written by International News Services’ experienced chief south Asia correspondent Raghavendra Verma, India presents many different sets of problems and he highlights solutions developed by local enterprises.

By Mitch Vandenborn, International News Services

As the international community converges on Haiti, many are fearful that the small Caribbean country will become another victim of promised international aid that falters amongst bickering and petty squabbles between donor countries and agencies.

But, in truth, this disaster could serve as a model for international aid done right, with large scale cooperation and organisation that not only relieves the immediate suffering of the Haitian people, but reestablishes the shattered remains of their infrastructure and society.

By Alan Osborn and Mitch Vandenborn, International News Services

Luis Ramos, CEO of The Network

Despite the global recession highlighting an alarming rise in the number of major frauds worldwide, recent findings by information lifecycle management company The Network and BDO Consulting indicate that fraud reporting may be leveling. Indeed, it may even slightly declining for some organisations.

By Paul Cochrane, in Beirut

For business journalists, writing about the Gulf from 2004 to 2008 was often a repetitive process. Regardless of the sector being covered, the opening paragraph would invariably have a growth figure in the double digits, and the projection for the next year would also be very healthy. The global financial crisis in the autumn of 2008 dimmed the region's business fortunes, flipping that opening paragraph to negative double-digit growth or, for some sectors, growth in the low single-digits.

By Keith Nuthall, International News Services

For many journalists covering globalisation affairs, the end of the European Union’s (EU) banana trade dispute with the USA and Latin American countries is like the loss of an old friend. This dispute – which ended today – has been subject to formal World Trade Organisation (WTO) proceedings since 1996. Its resolution is a rare ray of sunlight in Geneva, where multilateral trade talks have long been mired in self-interest and complacency.

By Wang Fangqing, in Shanghai 

China's rapid, aggressive rise as a communist-ruled giant developing country has been a topic in the world in recent years. During US President Barack Obama's first week long trip to Asia in November, he spent three days in China to show its importance as the biggest financial backer of the U.S.

By Julian Ryall, in Tokyo  

International aid for emergencies comes in many forms, and necessity really can be the mother of invention amongst donors. Just ask the Japan-based World Instant Noodle Association: when disaster strikes - they send noodles.

Anil Giri, in Kathmandu

Ahead of the UN Conference on climate change, in Copenhagen, the Nepalese
government has held a cabinet meeting at the foot of Mount Everest to bring
attention to the impact of climate change on the Himalayas.

By Katherine Dunn, International News Services

The travails of Roman Polanski in Switzerland this autumn have offered some lessons to the world’s wanted over extradition laws and how to deal with them. The Polish director has of course been living in France, with little fear of extradition, since 1978, when he fled the USA facing statutory rape charges. Only now of course this autumn was he arrested on an American warrant on a visit to Switzerland, while movie stars and directors crowed for his release.