WHAT’S NEW AT CUTS #  21
August 2004

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Dhaka, Bangladesh, September 22-23, 2004

CUTS Centre for Competition Investment & Economic Regulation (CUTS C-CIER), in collaboration with Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI), Dhaka, Bangladesh will organise the Regional Launch Meeting of its project entitled “Advocacy and Capacity Building on Competition Policy and Law in Asia” (7-Up 2 Project) on 22-23 September in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The project aims to accelerate the process towards functional competition policy and law for selected countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Bangladesh, Nepal and India) and advance an enabling environment for the law and policy to be better enforced.

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/Forthcoming_events/forthcoming-events.htm#regional

National Seminar
“The Common Minimum Programme and Its Prospects on Economic Reforms”

New Delhi, September 14-15, 2004

CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics & Environment (CUTS-CITEE) in association with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), New Delhi, will organise a National Seminar: “The Common Minimum Programme and Its Prospects on Economic Reforms”, on September 14-15, 2004 at New Delhi. The objective is to discuss and debate issues relating to the Common Minimum Programme, which focus on economic substance, developmental aspects and stakeholders’ participation.

“Prospects for the Indian Economy: Curbing Poverty and Boosting Growth”

NCAER Auditorium, New Delhi, August 2, 2004

Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS), and National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), jointly organised a public lecture on the “Prospects for the Indian Economy: Curbing Poverty and Boosting Growth” by Kaushik Basu, C. Marks Professor of International Studies and Professor of Economics, Cornell University, USA, at NCAER Auditorium, Parishila Bhawan, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi, on Monday, August 2, 2004. Basu started his lecture by reviewing the opportunities that presently lay in front of India in the wake of a sustaining growth rate of six percent and thereabouts. He opined that the approach of studying poverty in India by looking at the ‘poverty line’ needed to be revisited.

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/CUTS-NCAER.htm

PUBLICATIONS

Liberalising Trade in Environmental Goods and Services: In Search of ‘Win-Win-Win’ Outcomes

Trade in environmental goods and services has assumed a centre-stage position. The excellent analysis of this issue involved in environmental trade concludes with soundly reasoned policy recommendations which show the direction that future negotiations must take if the originally envisaged ‘win-win-win’ situation is to be achieved.

Capacity Building on Infrastructure Regulatory Issues (II Edition)

The role of civil society is critical in shaping regulatory capacity. This document is intended to kick-start a debate among the stakeholders – government, regulatory bodies and civil society – to catalyse an appropriate regulatory environment in India.

Monograph

‘WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing – Frequently Asked Questions

 This monograph aims to equip the reader to understand the fundamentals and underlying issues pertaining to trade in textiles and clothing.

Briefing Paper

Global Partnership for Development — the Way Forward

The paper focuses on debt relief, aid and trade and their role in promoting growth and what measures can be implemented for enhancing the effectiveness of these tools. It also looks at the present and potential role of civil society organisations in achieving the MDGs.

The rich countries have not only tried to curb UNCTAD’s role in the international trade arena, but over time have continued to show their increasing indifference, says Pradeep S Mehta of CUTS International.

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/articles2004.htm#art21_2004

As usual, let’s keep talking
The Pioneer, August 21, 2004

“WTO's July Package glosses over many of the vexed issues of Singapore, but nevertheless, it's not bad as a road map for the future”, says Bipul Chatterjee, Director, CUTS International.

The July Package is a mixed bag for developing countries, like India.

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/articles2004.htm#art22_2004

CUTS IN MEDIA

Experts urge developing states to promote local firms
The News International, August 19, 2004

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#Experts

Regional ties must to counter developed countries’ hegemony
Business Recorder, August 19, 2004

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#regionalbr

S. Asian needs to open services sector for investment
DAWN, August 19, 2004

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#southasia

Regional cooperation a must in South Asia
Frontier Post, August 19, 2004

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#Regional

Call to enhance regional ties to benefit from WTO
DAWN, August 18, 2004

 More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#call

Developing states asked to have their own agenda for WTO talks
The News International, August 18, 2004

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#Developing

Dog's breakfast or trade policy?
Business Standard, August 6, 2004

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#CIM46_2004

Call for strict enforcement of National Building Code on schools
Udayavani, August 5, 2004

More on: http://cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#CIM45_2004

Book Review: "Is It Really Safe?" – Cutting a swathe
The Hindu, August 5, 2004

More on: http://cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#CIM44_2004

Fire safety not high on buildings' priority list
The Hindu, August 3, 2004

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/cutsinmedia2004.htm#CIM42_2004

PRESS RELEASES

Consumer Group Hails National Foreign Trade Policy

“The five-year National Foreign Trade Policy adopted by the Government of India is a step in the right direction. This is not only in consonance with the letter and spirit of the National Common Minimum Programme, but also will help India achieving a greater role in international trade negotiations,” said Pradeep S. Mehta of CUTS International.

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/news-cuts1.htm#Consumer

CUTS Safety Watch urges National Building Code to be made mandatory

The scant regard for the safety norms to be followed has turned the majority of the schools of the country into a firebomb, says Soumi Home Roy of CUTS International. The implementation of National Building Code (NBC) should be made mandatory.

More on: http://www.cuts-international.org/news-cuts1.htm#press2004-27

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Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS)
D-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302 016, India
Phone:  91.141.228 2821, Fax:  91.141.228 2485
Email: cuts@cuts.org