On August 27, 2010, the European Union Trade Commissioner finished a three-day visit to Vietnam, where he was invited to the 42nd ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting. According to the EU, the visit was an opportunity to intensify trade and economic relations with ASEAN as a group, after the negotiations for a region-to-region Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were put on hold in 2009.
According to an August 26, 2010 World Customs Organization press release, a combined international operation, called Operation Mamba III, took place across East Africa, targeting counterfeit medical products and pharmaceutical crimes. Operation Mamba III resulted in the seizure of at least 10 tons of counterfeit and illicit medical products and more than 80 arrests of individuals suspected of involvement in the illegal manufacture, trafficking or sale of counterfeit and diverted medical products. Examples of some of the individual cases of suspected counterfeit drugs intercepted during the operation include 11634 Metakelfin antimalaria tablets, 3300 Celestamine antibacterial tablets, 1000 Duo-Cotecxin antimalaria tablets, 200 Ciprobay antibiotic tablets, 180 Betapyn headache tablets, 126 Postinor-2 oral emergency contraceptive tablets, and 80 Cialis erectile dysfunction tablets. Representatives of participating countries will meet next week to review the results of Operation Mamba III and to further harmonize the region’s approach to counterfeit and unregulated medicine.
China's Ministry of Commerce reports that it will host the China Import Forum 2010 on September 6, 2010. The theme of the Forum is "Opening Market and Global Trade." It will focus on comprehensive introductions to the Chinese market and its relevant import policies, and enhancing communications and exchanges among governments, industries and companies.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will hold a webinar on September 8, 2010 to help companies to prepare successful REACH-IT dossiers. Participants will learn how to be more effective when working with REACH IT, in particular how to pass the ‘business rules.’ Advice will be given on how to successfully register by using examples of common mistakes and how these can be avoided. The webinar is open to all registrants, is free of charge and on a first come first served basis. The deadline for registration is September 6, 2010. A recording of the webinar will be viewable on ECHA’s website after the event.