The deadlock raises doubts about meeting a March-2007 deadline to conclude negotiations.

Seoul's top negotiator Kim Jong-hoon said it had decided to suspend talks over US trade laws because US negotiators refused to accept concessions. Disappointment in this area spilled over to pharmaceuticals and automobiles.

"We decided to come on strongly by halting the talks on trade remedies, pharmaceuticals and autos because we wanted them to know how serious we were about our position," Kim said.

Seoul walked out of the trade-remedy session after Washington refused to accept "reduced" offers on anti-dumping regulations, Kim said. Seoul particularly wanted to resolve trade-remedy issues such as US anti-dumping rules in this round because US negotiators have until the end of December to submit a report to Congress.

Both sides have until March to conclude the talks to meet a July expiration of the Bush administrations' fast-track trade authority.

For the Korean government, not securing an agreement with the world's largest economy would mean lost opportunities for industry and the economy. - The Korea Herald/ANN.

Lion for Rajasthan

Lion Brewery Ceylon late last week entered into a joint-venture partnership with Carlsberg Breweries of Denmark to lead the venture in India by building a greenfield brewery in Rajasthan.

Lion will hold 22.5 per cent of the joint venture with Carlsberg having 45 per cent, Denmark's Industrialisation Fund for Development Countries 10 per cent and other investors 22.5 per cent.

Carson Cumberbatch & Co director Mano Selvanathan said: "In keeping with the company's ongoing operations, we will expand into Rajasthan, where the sale of legal alcohol is liberalised. Initially we will introduce Carlsberg products where Lion branded products will also follow after market research," he said.

"We are in the process of identifying the correct machinery for this new venture. The factory will be up and running by mid-2008," Selvanathan added.

According to industry sources, Lion can brew 600,000 litres annually. - The Island/ANN.

Leather for men

More than 20 leather brands are celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of the Siam Paragon shopping complex.

Chief merchandising officer for the Mall Group Saridpong Rattanapote said the campaign would start tomorrow and run until December 16. The leather fair highlights men's products.

There will be fashion shows, too, he said. - The Nation.