Author: Editorial Desk

Colombia is expanding its presence in global pharmaceutical trade, exporting certified medicines from more than 100 facilities approved by the national regulator INVIMA to over 20 countries, as rising international demand for affordable, quality-assured treatments drives growth in the sector. The country’s pharmaceutical output spans generic drugs, vitamins, hospital medicines, and treatments targeting oncology, respiratory illnesses, dermatology, and mental health conditions. Officials and industry groups say these exports support employment and innovation domestically while helping address supply gaps in regions across Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Growing pressure on healthcare systems worldwide has increased demand for cost-effective medicines, particularly as…

France-based sparkling tea maker Richeerz announced on Tuesday that the recently finalized free trade agreement between India and the European Union is expected to create significant momentum for bilateral trade in the non-alcoholic beverages segment, as the company explores deeper sourcing and market expansion opportunities linked to India. The firm currently imports Darjeeling tea from India as a core ingredient in its products and is now evaluating plans to enter the Indian market through exports and local partnerships. Speaking to PTI, SAS Richeerz President Richard Brandazzi said the company is actively seeking an Indian partner, noting that shifting trade dynamics…

Australian beef continues to attract strong global demand despite new trade barriers imposed by China, as Canberra engages Beijing in talks over recently introduced import tariffs. China implemented tariffs of up to 55% on beef imports above set quotas from several countries, including Australia, from January 1, a move aimed at protecting domestic producers. Under the revised framework, Australia has been allocated a quota of 205,000 tons out of China’s total 2.7 million-ton beef import allowance for 2026. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences presented at Senate estimates hearings, Australia exported around…

Kenya’s newly signed preliminary bilateral trade agreement with China, granting zero-duty access to 98.2% of Kenyan exports, signals a broader shift in Africa’s trade diplomacy as global commerce becomes increasingly shaped by tariffs, geopolitical rivalry, and competing development models. The agreement follows a policy announcement by China in June last year to eliminate tariffs on nearly all imports from 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing. Covering between 98 and 100% of tariff lines, the initiative extends duty-free access beyond least developed countries to include middle-income economies such as Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa, reflecting Beijing’s intention…

The International Air Transport Association said its 2026 World Cargo Symposium will focus on how the air cargo sector is adjusting to shifting global trade patterns, with demand growth, regulation, digitalization, and special cargo identified as key priorities. The event will take place in Lima, Peru, from March 10 to 12, 2026, hosted by LATAM Cargo, marking the first time the symposium is held in South America. According to the International Air Transport Association, the theme ‘Advancing Air Cargo in a Dynamic World’ reflects continued disruption to global supply chains driven by tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and changes in trade lanes.…

The Philippines ended 2025 with a sharply narrower farm trade deficit in December, driven by a strong rebound in agricultural exports led by tropical fruits and a simultaneous easing in import demand, according to official data. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the improvement reflected early progress from the government’s export diversification strategy, which aims to reduce reliance on a narrow range of commodities while expanding access to new markets. “We are now reaping the gains of our efforts to widen our menu of farm export products and open new markets,” Tiu Laurel said, adding that the export…

South Korea is seeking to expand international recognition of its halal certification system as part of a broader effort to increase food exports to Muslim-majority markets, with Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia identified as priority partners. Speaking on Monday in Sejong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung said the government will step up diplomatic efforts to widen its network of mutual recognition agreements for halal certification. The initiative is aimed at supporting domestic private halal certification agencies and reducing export barriers for Korean food producers. Under the plan, Korean certification bodies that secure…

Bangladesh has signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, marking its first-ever EPA with any country and a milestone in its trade relations with a developed economy. The agreement was signed in Tokyo at 3:00 pm Japan Standard Time by Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser, Sk. Bashir Uddin and Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, HORII Iwao, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said. Rahman said the agreement will come into force once the formal notification is published, which is expected to be issued shortly. He described the deal as a significant achievement for Bangladesh, noting that it is the country’s first comprehensive EPA…

The proposed India–U.S. trade agreement is expected to open up the United States’ $118 billion global imports market for textiles, apparel, and made-ups, creating a major opportunity for India’s textile sector, the government said on Saturday. The U.S. remains India’s largest export destination for textiles, and the revised tariff structure is expected to strengthen India’s position within global textile supply chains, PTI reported. According to the Ministry of Textiles, the new reciprocal tariff of 18% on Indian textile products, including apparel and made-ups, removes a long-standing disadvantage faced by Indian exporters. The revised rate places India in a more competitive…

Brazil’s trade surplus in 2025 became increasingly dependent on crude oil and petroleum products, with the surplus generated by these items reaching a record $29.6 billion, according to official trade indicators. This marked a rise from the previous high of $28.2 billion in 2024 and accounted for 43.3% of Brazil’s total trade surplus of $68.3 billion, up from 38% a year earlier. The data come from the Indicator of Foreign Trade compiled by the Brazilian Institute of Economics at Fundação Getulio Vargas, based on figures from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade. Lia Valls, a professor at the State University of…