Main headlines from this issue

European Commission calls time – court asked to fine four member states

The European Commission has asked the Court of Justice in Luxembourg to fine Poland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Slovenia for failing to fully implement Directive 2009/81/EC, the directive regulating offset practices.

American and Indian perspectives on India’s new guidelines are broadly positive – DOMW chief named

To say India moves goalposts in the middle of the game is a charitable description of what’s been happening with the offset guidelines, said Ron Somers, President of the U.S.-India Business Council. “It’s been an evolving programme.”…. The key role of Joint Secretary in the DOMW will be taken initially by…

Industry Canada introduces a demanding SME requirement

Most of the offset programmes now under way in Canada will have a 15 percent requirement for SME transactions which obligors will find difficult to sustain. Prime contractors are to provide a minimum of 5 percent of the value of their IRB activities with......

Differences over Korean offset policy reach impasse

A rather heady panel discussion on the different perspectives of the South Korean offset programme divided conference delegates into two camps; those who supported the rolling out of a chunky inventory recommending changes; and those who considered that so detailed a list placed the Koreans in a disagreeable face-saving situation.

Australia seeks Japanese submarine technology

Australia is considering the use of Japanese technology to power its new submarine fleet under a weapons technology swap deal announced by the two countries.