Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

26-March-2012 16:13 IST

FTA with Asean Countries

India has signed bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with Singapore in 2005 and with Malaysia in 2011. India has also signed an Agreement on Trade in Goods with ASEAN on 13th August, 2009.

During the year 2009-10 and 2010-11, export to ASEAN countries was US$ 18.11 billion and US$27.28 billion respectively. During the year 2009- 10 and 2010-11, import from ASEAN countries was US$ 25.80 billion and US$ 30.61 billion respectively.

India and ASEAN are currently negotiating Agreement on Trade in Services.

Negotiations on Agreement on Trade in Services are at the stage of exchange of offers and both India and ASEAN have last exchanged revised offers on 18th November, 2011.

The Agreements would lead to growth in bilateral trade. Indian exporters would gain additional market access in these countries and Indian manufacturers would be able to source products at competitive prices from these markets. Investments would increase and Indian Professionals would gain access in the Services Sectors. This will result in increased business opportunities and closer economic co-operation with these countries. Negotiations for services sectors on which commitments would be taken are under way.

This information was given by Shri Jyotiradiya M. Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

DS/GK

Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN advancing market access and services commitments following exchange of revised offers. Negotiation and implementation of regional trade instruments with ASEAN focus on expanding tariff and service-market access through bilateral and multilateral accords. India has executed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with one partner and an Agreement on Trade in Goods with ASEAN. Ongoing negotiations concern an Agreement on Trade in Services at the exchange-of-offers stage, aimed at additional market access for exporters, competitive sourcing for manufacturers, increased investment flows, and professional access in services sectors.