Khna
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Free Trade Agreement Signed Amidst Economic Doldrums
In a rare Saturday session, a free trade agreement between the Enlightened Republic and the Talemantine Empire cleared its final legislative hurdles in the Senate this afternoon and was approved with a healthy majority; only 13 senators voted against the measure. Executrix Alesci has already signaled to the press that she will ratify the agreement, sealing the agreement between our nation and the Empire.
Politicians across party lines are optimistic that this agreement will help bolster an anemic economy that continues to slip towards recession as war disrupts markets across the globe. “This deal will help to drive down the costs of fuel,” said Senator Bollani, chairman of the Senate Committee of International Commerce and Relations. “An increase in exports is only to be expected. Erythea needs to eliminate as many barriers to trade as she can if we’re to avoid a full recession.”
Several prominent economists do not share in the optimism of the government. While generally supportive of the agreement, many feel much more needs to be done to improve the economy. “Free trade is well and good, but the fact of the matter is we need more partners than the Imperials in Talemaniki,” says Dr. Maurice Trieri, Dean of Economics at Oran University. “The government also needs to admit that we’ve already entered a recession. The southern provinces have been feeling it for the better half of 2011, and exports have never recovered from the August Catastrophe.”
This agreement may be only the beginning as the Alesci Administration have outlined a broad push for a greater focus on free trade in 2012. Free trade throughout Himyar and the Great Sea is one of the central goals for the Alesci this year.
