Trade Bloc

EU Business aims to be a context-driven and user-friendly website for business information about the European Union. It provides information on EU laws, business developments, up-to-date information on EU programs for specific sectors, and information on how to do business in European countries. Also, the website lists upcoming conferences and events concerning the EU. Free registration is required to use most of the features.

Among other goals, the Andean Community (CAN) strives for the development and integration of member countries in Latin America and for progress in the standard of living. The website provides information on member countries, economic policies, treaties and legislation, trade in goods and services, and much more. While some publications must be purchased, access to documents including the declarations of the CAN is free. Only available in Spanish.

The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), established in 1995, provides assistance and advice on the implementation of certain business sector priorities. The ABAC website provides a variety of resources to help inform users including links to business resources, research projects conducted by the ABAC, upcoming meetings and events, and recent news releases. Additionally, the website highlights their work program, which works to enhance growth and prosperity throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The "news and media" section of the website also includes an archive of past newsletters published by the council.

The Arab World Competitiveness Report 2013, published by the World Economic Forum, contains information about key factors determining the future prosperity and economic growth of Arab countries and sub-regions (Levant, North Africa, and Gulf countries) ranging from structural reforms and regional integration to savings and foreign direct investment.

ASEAN UP is a website designed to empower business in Southeast Asia by compiling a wide variety of resources pertaining to the ASEAN trade bloc. This site includes an ASEAN business directory, business resources for each country in ASEAN, and guest blog opportunities in ASEAN. Latest news, events, and data regarding ASEAN are also available on the site.

Written by the Korean Minjok Leadership Academy, this site offers an in-depth approach to the history leading up to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the developments once ASEAN was created, and the dilemmas they face. 

Provided by the Asian Regional Integration Center, this webpage provides a wide variety of resources related to the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). PDF versions of legal documents and recent news within the trade bloc are posted on the site. Past economic studies, opinions, and editorials are also available.

This is the official website of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which is "the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade, and investment in the Asia-Pacific region." This website includes information regarding the recent news, economies of the 21-member countries, a business center, publications, a virtual library, topics of discussion within APEC, and a database of useful links. Additionally, the site includes a tab that summarizes availability and sources of APEC project funding.

This is the official website of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which provides detailed information about ASEAN including an overview, member states, structure, and external relations. The official annual report, latest news, and other valuable resources are also available.

Provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this webpage serves as an overview of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Recent news, text and associated documents, chapter summaries, a history timeline, and information about the negotiations are available. The "FTA outcomes and background documents" section contains documents and infographics that describe in-depth how the TPP will affect the Australian economy and its various industries. 

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides insight into APEC from an Australian standpoint. This site contains a basic overview of the history of APEC, Australia's responsibility within the trade bloc, and a list of upcoming APEC meetings. Additional links provided by this site include declarations and statements, media releases, and Business Advisory Council reports relating to APEC. 

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides insight into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from an Australian standpoint. The site includes an ASEAN fact sheet, Australians' relationship with ASEAN, declarations from the ASEAN-Australian dialogue, and other related documents available in PDF.

Canadian Foreign Affairs and International Trade provides insight into APEC from a Canadian standpoint. The site provides information for APEC declarations to Canada, Canadian business involvement in APEC, summaries of APEC summits, and news releases.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency is the regional trade and investment promotion agency for the 15 member states of the Caribbean Forum. The site provides information about export development, export promotion, and investment opportunities. The site also offers recent news, trade competitiveness reports, trade policies, and a resource directory.

This is the official website of the CARICOM Competition Commission, an organization established to maintain competition between the member states of CARICOM for economic benefit. The website provides news, publications, videos, and various other sources of information concerning the organization and CARICOM.

The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is an organization that focuses on standards related to activities that facilitate and sustain international competitiveness and production. The site contains an events calendar, a standards catalog, current projects, news within the region, and an e-learning and e-library section.

This is the official website for the CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME). The CSME provides information on the single market and single economy, their goals, news, and how to qualify to work within the CSME.

The CEFTA Transparency Pack is an online collection of databases that contain information about trade-related measures, market access barriers, and technical barriers to trade. There is also a database containing an archive of key laws and regulations within the sanitary, phytosanitary, and veterinary industry for CEFTA countries. Each database and corresponding subpages on the site contain information specific to each member country of CEFTA. 

This is the official website for the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Aside from detailing CEFTA's history, structure, and current projects, the site additionally provides archives for previous news headlines, CEFTA events, and statistics. The "legal documents" section also provides PDF documents containing policies and legislation enacted by CEFTA, and an online newsletter is also available. 

The Centre Virtuel de la Connaisance sur l'Europe (CVCE), or Centre of European Studies, is a multimedia reference on the history of Europe focused on the European integration process. It has over 3,000 sources on the EU, including the treaties, fact sheets, and key dates on the EU. Interviews from past and current political leaders are also available as resources on the website.

The COMESA Business Council (CBC) was established to help promote private sector growth, integrate businesses across borders, and develop the economies of COMESA member countries. The CBC is composed of business owners and economic professionals who meet on a regular basis to discuss ideas on how to improve the business climate of COMESA countries. Its site contains information about the council and its activities, policy and advocacy, and the services made available to both members and other businesses.

The COMESA Competition Commission is responsible for promoting fair competition and correcting uncompetitive practices in the region. The site provides an overview of the commission's activities, responsibilities, and COMESA-related legislation.

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is an international organization established by Canada, Mexico, and the United States to address environmental matters. The site includes reports and publications providing information on environmental topics such as ecosystems, green economy, enforcement, pollutants, and climate change. In addition, the site provides tools and resources, press releases, upcoming events, and a virtual library.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was established as an "organization of free independent sovereign states which have agreed to cooperate in developing their natural and human resources for the good of all their people". The COMESA website provides a variety of information about the trade bloc itself, economic profiles for each member country, recent news, and a media center with numerous downloadable publications.

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) was launched by COMESA to restore agricultural growth, food security, and rural development within Western-Africa. The CAADP site provides a description of the program and its goals, investment plans, and recent news related to agricultural development. 

The COMSTAT Data Portal offers a brief overview of COMESA and includes a variety of statistical tools which provide insight on demographic, economic, and financial topics directly related to the trade bloc. The COMSTAT site also provides a country profile for each of its member countries as well as information on topics such as foreign trade, infrastructure, economy, agriculture, environment, and industry. 

The Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, nonpartisan think tank and publisher. This site provides a report of Mercosur at a different angle including topics such as Mercosur’s political agenda, the implications of Venezuela joining as a full member, how Mercosur affects other trade blocs, and more.

This Doing Business report, published by the World Bank in 2014, examines several key aspects of doing business in the ECOWAS trade bloc, such as the ease of starting a business, protecting investors, trading across borders, and enforcing contracts. The resource also includes maps, graphs, and other figures to illustrate the information within the report. The document opens in PDF.

The East African Community (EAC) website provides detailed information about the history, structure, and participating countries of the organization. Social and economic cooperation programs and activities within the community are also included. In addition, the site provides news and publications regarding the latest community developments.

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) was established in 1983 and currently has 11 member countries representing over 145 million people throughout the area encompassed by the trade bloc. The mission of the ECCAS is to promote regional cooperation and well balanced self-sufficient economic and social growth. The website provides a background on the trade bloc, in addition to information about each of the eleven member nations. The website also includes news articles and some historical background on the issues the group has faced due to sustained war during much of the trade bloc's history. The site is only available in French. 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was established in 1975 to promote the economic and social development of its member countries. The official website of ECOWAS contains information about the history of the trade bloc, its members, and the sectors in which it operates. The site also provides a guide to doing business in ECOWAS, statistics, annual reports, and news. 

The Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) is an ECOWAS sector responsible for developing sustainable energy in this region. This site contains background information about ECREEE and its activities, and lists news and events specific to the center. A resource library containing publications and other media types is also included. 

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) is an organization dedicated to ensuring that members of the EFTA follow through with their agreement through the EEA (European Economic Area) to promote the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital. The site provides an overview of the EFTA surveillance authority as well as information on EEA and EFTA member countries, including internal market, state aid, and competition knowledge.

The Enterprise Europe Network helps small to medium-sized businesses looking to find international partners, EU funding, financing options, EU law and standards, and intellectual property standards. They offer several services to help start and maintain a successful business in the European Union. Latest partnering opportunities are updated frequently and a search update is available to match users to their own partnering needs.

This is the official website of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The EAEU helps to promote the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor throughout its sectors. Its website contains general information about the EAEU, such as economic and demographic indicators, legal documents, treaties, and services provided by the union. 

The European Central Bank (ECB) is one component of the central banking system of the Euro area. Its prime objective is to maintain the price and stability of the euro. This site provides key financial and economic statistics, procurement information, related legal framework, and other European business-related information.

The Public Opinion sector of the European Commission offers surveys, studies, and reports addressing issues such as citizenship, social situation, culture, and the environment. The site contains a tool called The Eurobarometer which allows users to select from a list of over 50 questions regarding the European Union. Results are then displayed in a graph or table.

Provided by the European Commission, this profile on the East African Community (EAC) contains basic information on the history of the trade bloc and its main trade commodities. The webpage specifically highlights the trade bloc's relationship with the European Union due to its economic partnership agreement. Links to external resources and related publications are provided on the site. 

The Energy Union section of the European Commission website includes information on various legislation and rules in the European Union relating to sustainable business practices. The website focuses on eco-friendly or “green” concepts, including advice on eco-friendly manufacturing, waste management, and corporate social responsibility & competitiveness, all within a business context.

The European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) page provides details regarding the free trade agreement between the two trading blocs. The site includes legal documents, records of understanding, annexes, and summary pages of the trade agreement, which open in PDF.  This site also has a trade statistics page, in PDF, that provides data from the past several years showing the amounts of European imports and exports within the GCC.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an international organization composed of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The EFTA is tasked with promoting free trade and economic integration. Information is provided on the relationship between the EFTA and the European Economic Area. Trade statistics on EFTA member countries, legal texts, and various publications are also available.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the financing institution of the European Union (EU). The EIB's mission is to provide long-term financing and support for projects and initiatives within the EU. The site contains information about lending opportunities, types of projects financed, and investor relations. Publications and reports are also available at no charge.

The European Parliament provides an overview of the process of European integration. The site features concise summaries on the topics of how the European Union works, Citizens' rights in Europe, the internal market, economic and monetary union, sectoral policies, and the EU's external relations. Topics discussed are divided into subcategories to elaborate further upon certain aspects. Fact sheets can be downloaded in PDF.

The European Union (EU) encompasses a large part of Europe and aims to be a fair society committed to economic prosperity. This site provides information on policy areas of the European Union and a list of key websites for European Union guides. The page also has a section devoted to the relations between the United States and the European Union, such as the agreements and protocols between the two states. Other information includes publications on the European Union—such as EUFocus and EUInsight—and recent news on related topics. Cultural events, funding details, and academic resources can also be found on the site.

The CIA provides a detailed background on the European Union including information on geography, demographics, government, economy, energy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.

The Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) is responsible for the regulation of medicinal products for human and veterinary use in the European Economic Area. The HMA focuses on the development, coordination, and consistency of the European medical regulatory system. Its site contains information about the authorities of HMA as well as the regulations associated with human and veterinary medicines.

The trade section of the European Union website focuses on trade cooperation with other global regions. It provides information about the commission, structure, legal framework, and programs of the EU external trade cooperation activities. It also provides the latest news on this topic, as well as links to related EU documents. A PDF document is also available which explains the necessity of trade policy, how policy development occurs, trade policy structure, and finally, its future outlook. 

Provided by the European Commission, the Eurostat website includes all the latest statistical news releases of the European Union. Its statistical data covers the economy, industry, trade, agriculture, transportation, environment, and science. The publications section of the site provides recent statistical documents available for download in PDF.

The Latin America section of Focus Economics provides information on Latin American economies including data from government sources, economic forecasts, market analysis covering economic performance, political risk assessments, and financial market developments.

FoodDrinkEurope represents the food and beverage industry of the European Union. The website includes information about industry and policy areas, major press releases, publications, and a listing of events, data, and trends related to these industries.

Global Affairs Canada provides insight into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from a Canadian standpoint. The site provides information for market opportunities in key industries, government support, and market access.

This webpage is part of the official governmental website for Canada and contains information regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The webpage includes a timeline of the history of the TPP, news reports about the effects of the TPP in Canada, and the full-text of the trade agreement. 

Since 2008, the GCC-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (GSFTA) has aimed to strengthen ties between GCC countries and Singapore. The site includes information on how the free trade agreement benefits exporters and investors in member countries. Information on how the free trade agreement affects trade relations and regulations between the GCC and Singapore is also provided.

This IMF working paper examines the foundations of economic growth in the East African Community utilizing newly-collected and existing data sources. Output, exports, and other indicators are analyzed within a variety of sectors to gauge the success of this trade bloc over recent years. Opens in PDF.

Provided by the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law (ICNL), this profile about the Arab League offers users basic information about the composition and history of the trade bloc. Related links and stories revolving around the Arab League are included at the bottom of the page.

The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) provides a thorough report on the legal structure of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as links to declarations, charters, and legal documents throughout ASEAN’s history. The site also provides information on human rights and civil society participation. PDF version available.

This is the official website for the League of Arab States. It contains information about the league, its structure, history, and various activities. News articles and information from past economic and social summits are also included on the site. Site only available in Arabic. 

A service provided by the European Commission in cooperation with member states, consists of a number of databases analyzing market access conditions, barriers to trade, and sanitary and phytosanitary issues for non-EU countries. Access to the SPS Database, Trade Barriers Database, and Statistical Database is free; however, information under the Exporters Guide to Import Formalities and Applied Tariffs is only available to users connecting from any of the 28 European Union member states.

MercoPress, based in Uruguay, is an independent news agency that focuses on delivering news related to Mercosur-member countries. It covers topics such as the main events of Mercosur, economic-political influences, and recent developments.

This is the official website of MERCOSUR, a customs union incorporating the countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The website contains news, standards, official records, and information about the union.

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States provides a frequently asked questions publication in regards to its economic union treaty.The FAQ provides a  basic overview of the treaty as well as information about the functionality of the organization and initiatives within the organization.

The official website of the European Union includes information on the European Union, life in the EU, and doing business in the EU. Information on policies and links to various publications and documents are also available. The website also offers detailed information on all the industries in the EU. For further details about the EU, the website offers free phone calls and emails.

The Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), containing the world's largest economies, is organized to expand trade and investment through fostering open markets. This site features information about events, programs, objectives and activities of the Council, news, committees, and publications. Publications available in PDF.

The SADC Banking Association was established with the objective of coordinating activities of national banks in SADC countries. Some of the goals are to facilitate projects and activities to improve the efficiency of banks in the region and also to attract foreign investment to the SADC region. Included on the site are useful links and a list of ongoing projects. 

SADC News Today contains links to articles involving food security, elections, energy, events, and policy regarding the SADC. Contact information is available and SADC News Today encourages contributions in the form of articles from individuals and organizations within the SADC region. Users must create a free account to access site information.

The Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) website provides detailed information about the foundation and structure of the organization. It also provides legal documents, press releases, publications, and statistics of the organization, as well as information about its major activities.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) site offers information about regional cooperation in South Asian countries, including cooperation in the areas of agriculture and rural development, biotechnology, energy, environment, and trade and finance. SAARC offers the latest news, press releases, and publications of the organization. It also allows readers to download the declarations of all its summits.

The SADC consists of 16 member states: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  The SADC’s mission is to promote sustainable and equitable growth and to be a competitive and effective player in the world economy.  This site contains web applications and related institutions that offer additional information on SADC.

Switzerland's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) provides information regarding the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on this webpage, as Switzerland is one of the four members of the EFTA. The site details the EFTA's history, policies, and general information.

StatsAPEC is an online database which provides statistics about key demographic and economic indicators as well as bilateral linkages for member countries of APEC. Users may find specific data by selecting countries to compare, indicator, and year in which the data was collected. A useful glossary of terms also defines the indicators that are provided by the website.

Tender’s Electronic Daily (TED) is the online version of the "Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union" and provides business opportunities for countries within the European Union. The website also provides an RSS feed that offers the latest news about the business sectors covered by TED. Registration is required to access some of the information on this site.

Provided by Deloitte, this publication provides a look into the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and its potential impact on international business. Information includes general economic information on the ASEAN countries, the agenda for the AEC, a timeline of implementation, and lists of the achievements and ultimate goals for the community.

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) insights page provided by Deloitte offers a thorough description of the AEC and how it impacts businesses around the world. A brochure is available for download that provides key statistics, important milestones, and a look at what is to come for the future of AEC. 

The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES) creates, develops, and implements programs that foster European economic development through the Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The organization also publishes an annual economic survey that can be reached online through its website. Recent press releases, position papers, and other documents are posted by date on the homepage.

This website pertains to the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA), two trade blocs based in Europe. The EFTA is composed of Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland. The EEA is comprised of Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. This document provides information on each trade bloc's structure, history, and function. It also speaks to their intertwined nature and lists quotes and links pertaining to the organizations. 

This is the official website for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The site contains information about the organization and its activities in regards to trade policy, sustainable development, and exporting. Also available are a number of recent articles related to the bloc as well as publications which can be downloaded as a PDF. 

This United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) website provides the details of the coordination between UNHCR and the League of Arab States (LAS) that aims to establish a global cooperation framework for an effective response to the needs of refugees in the Arab region and to facilitate better humanitarian access and emergency response. 

Trade.gov contains information about the CE (Conformite Europeenne) Marking and a list of countries within the European Union that require the mark. The website has various tools, including guides, labs, and procedures. This resource combines all of the CE Marking information in one place.

Trade.gov is a comprehensive resource for both small and large businesses looking to export or trade. This site includes information on tariffs and duties, a fact sheet, a video and text explaining the USMCA rules of origin, and changes in laws from NAFTA to USMCA.  

The U.S. Coalition for TPP is a group of U.S. companies and associations that represent key industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and retailing. The coalition's website contains recent news related to the TPP and a directory of officials who have publicly supported trade by state. Under the section titled "the facts," users can find country-specific trade information and testimonials from companies. 

Created by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States of Trade provides a profile for each state containing data such as a list of key agriculture and manufacturing exports, labor statistics, and trade benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership for that particular state. For each state, a profile is provided for a local company that details the company's experiences with exporting and the benefits received. The document opens in PDF. 

The U.S. Department of State, responsible for international relations of the United States, offers a variety of regional topics including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The section includes recent news and developments regarding APEC.

The United States National Center for APEC is a U.S. business association focused on facilitating American private sector engagement within APEC. This site provides information about current issues, center events, and publications which include case studies about different aspects of APEC. Also included is a media section that contains a number of useful resources such as a blog, press releases, and a video library that provides more information regarding recent events related to the trade bloc. Key documents available in PDF.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa provides a page for treaties and protocols involving the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Access to the treaty that established the ECCAS is available on this page.

The United Nations ESCAP site provides a profile of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). This profile contains a brief historical overview of APTA, numerous fact sheets which can be downloaded in PDF, an archive of previous committee meetings, and trade information regarding the member states of APTA. 

The U.S. Department of State, responsible for international relations of the United States, offers information pertaining to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The site provides a thorough overview of ASEAN, a chronological report of publications, and ASEAN’s relations with the United States.

Provided by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, 18,000 Tax Cuts on Made-in-America Exports provides information on how tax cuts created by the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will impact the top six export products for each state. The guide also contains success stories for U.S.-based companies that detail current challenges in their respective industries and how the TPP could help resolve them. The document opens in PDF. 

The United States Trade Representative is a federal agency focused on specialized trade issues within many regions of the world. This site features USCMA information regarding I.P. rights, agriculture, customs and trade facilitation, and financial services.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service describes the implications of the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), specifically the impact on the agriculture industry. The site offers data, analysis, and recent news.

The US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Council advocates United States corporations within ASEAN. The council aims to lead business missions to key economies and convenes meetings with ASEAN heads of state and ministers. The site provides knowledge on key industries for U.S. businesses including customs, defense and security, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, health and life sciences, as well as technology.

The USMCA Secretariat, which administers the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement provides information about the rules of procedure, dispute settlement, alternative dispute resolution, national sections, and various resources.

The business section of Your Europe provides readers with the practical information and advice to conduct business within the European Union. This site includes information on starting or closing a business in Europe and focuses on topics such as taxation, human resources, intellectual property, trade regulations, funding opportunities and public procurement. Country-specific information on these topics is also available. In addition, there is a directory of organizations and businesses, based on topic or country. This is a multi-lingual site covering many European countries.