The European Union Approach to Technology and Innovation

 

* Science and Technology Advisory Council

 

The European Commission announced the creation of a Science and Technology Advisory Council.

 

The Council is an independent and informal group of outstanding science and technology experts from academia, business and civil society from across the European Research Area.

 

Check here please.

 

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* Key Enabling Technologies – KETs

 

The Key Enabling Technologies, or simply KETs – nanotechnology, micro-/nanoelectronics, industrial biotechnology, advanced materials, photonics and advanced manufacturing technologies – represent and exceptional importance for the future innovation and competitiveness of the EU.

 

To assure and improve access to finance for investments in KETs, the European Commission and the European Investment Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

 

Kindly find additional information here.

 

 

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A Unitary Patent System for Europe

 

The European Union (EU) member countries signed an agreement for establishing a Unified Patent Court (UPC).

 

The Unitary Patent system will make obtaining a European Patent less complex and cheaper while ensuring legal certainty throughout the entire single jurisdiction.

 

Read about UPC here and here.

 

More Trade News in Brief – Week 8 (18 – 24 February 2013)

 

* Japan & South Africa Sign Investment MOU

 

Japan and South Africa formally signed a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

 

Follow the link.

 

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* Vietnam & San Marino Sign DTA

 

Vietnam and San Marino signed a double taxation agreement (DTA).

 

Check here.

 

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 * WIPO – Global Brand Database

 

After adding six national collections of trademark records, including the entire United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) collection, The United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) now has world’s largest collection of trademark records.

 

The Global Brand Database now is the world’s largest free, public trademark search facility. 

 

Check the Press Release.

 

News from European Union

 

* European Innovation Partnership (EIP)

 

The European Commission launched the European Innovation Partnership to help make Europe a world leader in raw materials exploration, extraction, processing, recycling and substitution by 2020.

 

More information on the EIP on Raw Materials.

 

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* Bioeconomy Observatory

 

The European Commission will establish an observatory to map progress and measure the impact of the development of the European Union’s bioeconomy.

 

Check here.

 

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* The EU’s Free Trade Agreements

 

The European Commission released a memo regarding the EU’s Free Trade Agreements:

– On-going negotiations

– Free Trade Agreements finished but not yet entered into force

– Free Trade Agreements already in force

 

Please find more here.

 

Also check, fur further information the EU’s bilateral free trade agreements.

 

More Trade News in Brief – Week 7 (11 – 17 February 2013)

 

* OECD – International Tax System

 

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) urges stronger international co-operation on corporate tax to avoid different treatment between multinationals and local smaller businesses.

 

The study – Addressing Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) – reflects the tax system over the G-20 countries.

 

Check here for more.

 

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 * ICC-Ifo – World Economic Climate

 

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Ifo Institute published the latest World Economic Survey (WES).

 

For further details check here and here.

 

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* The Global Competitiveness Report 2012–2013

 

The World Economic Forum (WEF) released ”The Global Competitiveness Report 2012–2013”.

 

Please check it here.

 

EU and US to Start Negations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

 

13 February 2013, Brussels and Washington

 

The European Union and the United States announced that negotiations  for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the E.U and the U.S. would begin in the near future.

 

For further details please check the following links:

– EU Press Release

– The White House (Office of the Press Secretary)

– Tax News

 

 

 

 

Treaty Relief and Compliance Enhancement (TRACE)

 

The OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs approved the TRACE Implementation Package.

 

Learn more about the TRACE Project.

 

 Public documents relating to TRACE Work:

• TRACE Implementation Package (February 2013)
• Public Comments on Draft Implementation Package: Possible Improvements to Procedures for Tax Relief for Cross-Border Investors (September 2010)
• Pilot Group Report on Possible Improvements to the Procedures for Tax Relief for Cross Border Investors: Implementation Package (February 2010)
• ICG Report on Possible Improvements to the Procedures for Tax Relief for Cross Border Investors (January 2009)

 

More Trade News in Brief – Week 6 (4 – 10 February 2013)

 

* WHO, WIPO, WTO – Medical Technologies and Innovation

 

5 February 2013

 

The World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and World Trade Organization (WTO) released the “Promoting Access to Medical Technologies and Innovation: Intersections between Public Health, Intellectual Property and Trade”.

 

Find more about this study here.

 

                                       

  

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* Turkey – Mauritius Signed FTA

 

7 February 2013

 

Turkey and Mauritius signed a free trade agreement (FTA). Check here.

 

Read more about the Turkey’s FTA’s here.

 

New UN ESCAP – World Bank Database

 

6 February 2013

 

 A new database developed jointly by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the World Bank reveals the world trading system challenges.

 

Please find here the new Trade Costs Database.

 

More Trade News in Brief – Week 5 (28 January – 3 February 2013)

* OECD – Energy Policy

 

OECD published two reports regarding energy policy, public finances and environmental goals:

 

– Taxing Energy Use

 

– Inventory of Estimated Budgetary Support and Tax Expenditures for Fossil Fuels 2013

 

Please find more here.

 

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* UNCTAD – Global Investment Trends Monitor

 

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the Global Investment Trends Monitor.

 

The report describes the actual global foreign direct investments (FDI) and its trends.

 

Check here for more.

 

 

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* Jersey Signs Updated DTA’s

 

The Jersey government has signed new comprehensive double tax agreements (DTA’s) with the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

 

Please follow the link.