Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó (Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó) will host a series of workshops focusing on EU’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), as part of a two-year project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The project is entitled ‘Transformations in Global Governance: Integration via Free Trade Agreements’ (GIFTA).
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GIFTA aims to foster inter-disciplinary research on the evolution and effects of FTAs in Europe, America, and Asia.
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The project will examine the rationale for EU’s negotiation of FTAs with Asia and USA; social, economic and political aspects of the EU’s FTAs; and the effects of FTAs in partner countries.
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The workshops aim to generate debate among experts and build young researchers’ capacity studying trade governance patterns and the effects of new generation FTAs on partner and third countries.
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The second workshop in London on 30 June and 1 July is being attended by EU Commission, Commonwealth Secretariat, think tank organisations, academics and other independent trade associations.
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Sangeeta Khorana, Professor of Economics at Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó and GIFTA coordinator, said, “Over the next 15 years, 90% of world demand will be generated outside Europe. This makes it a key priority for the EU to tap into this growth potential and open up market opportunities for European businesses through negotiation of Free Trade Agreements.â€
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“FTAs with partner countries create opportunities by opening new markets for goods and services, foster investment opportunities and make the policy environment more predictable.â€
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The project will create an international network of scholars on FTA issues, with six workshops due to take place in the UK, Brussels and India over 2015 and 2016.Ìý
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