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CISCO to develop Palestinian telecommunications
Jordan: US networking giant CISCO Systems has signed a memorandum of understanding with a Palestinian firm towards developing telecommunications infrastructure in the Palestinian territories.

In a separate development, the World Economic Forum has announced the extension of its Education Initiative to the Palestinian Authority that began in Jordan two years back. It will provide Palestinian pupils with computer hardware, software and online tutelage in subjects like Mathematics, English, the sciences, Information Technology, and Arabic.

The MoU allows for expanded Internet, mobile and landline services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, PALTEL and CISCO Systems said in a joint statement. It did not provide other details on the deal.
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Japan and Malaysia reach agreement on FTA
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia and Japan have agreed to set up a free trade area as part of a comprehensive economic relationship after resolving the differences in emergency talks.

"We have now finalized everything," International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz told reporters after talks with Japanese Trade Minister Shoichi Nakagawa.

Nakagawa arrived earlier in Malaysia earlier today for last-ditch efforts to salvage deadlocked negotiations on a planned free trade area.

Talks between Japan and Malaysia began in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday but had failed to produce a consensus on tariffs for industrial products, especially in the sensitive auto sector and steel industries of Malaysia, which Japan says is excessively protectionist.

Rafidah said the comprehensive economic relationship will contain elements of the free trade area, which will be formally launched in December.
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