Bournemouth University to host workshops on EU Free Trade Agreements
Bournemouth University (BU) 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).
GIFTA aims to foster inter-disciplinary research on the evolution and effects of FTAs in Europe, America, and Asia.
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.
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.
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.
Sangeeta Khorana, Professor of Economics at BU 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.”
“FTAs with partner countries create opportunities by opening new markets for goods and services, foster investment opportunities and make the policy environment more predictable.”
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.
