Briefly noted

▪ The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has called on the UK government and the European Commission to make a final push in negotiations for trade liberalisation. Speaking after the Ministerial agreement on trade in services at the WTO conference in December, the ABI said the agreement provided fresh impetus to bring negotiations to a successful conclusion by the end of 2006. Stephen Haddrill, director general at the ABI, said: “By the end of 2006 we must see substantive agreements to reduce barriers to trade in financial services, benefiting both developed and developing countries. We urge the Government and the European Commission to seize this opportunity. Progress will require real commitment and effort as the agreement operates on a voluntary basis.”