ASEAN and India pushing to conclude services and investment negotiations

10 December 2012 - ASEAN Ambassadors attended the Curtain Raiser event for the 2nd India-ASEAN Business Fair, to be held on 18-21 December at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on the side of ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.

In the run-up to the Summit, it is highly anticipated that both sides could reach a deal on the outstanding ASEAN-India FTA negotiations on services and investment. The leaders of ASEAN and India have both given their full political support to wrap up the negotiations in time before the Commemorative Summit, to take place on 20-21 December in New Delhi.

Speaking to the Hindu Business Line on Tuesday at the curtain raiser event, Rajeev Kher, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, said that “I am sure if flexibility is expressed on both sides, we will be able to reach a mid-ground. There are a few areas in services…. but we have almost concluded everything, just a couple of issues need to be sorted out. In the areas of investment, there are a couple of issues (on) both sides. We expect these will be sorted out by the time the Summit begins.”

Source for the quote:  http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/asean-summit-india-hopeful-of-wrapping-up-trade-investment-pact/article4184791.ece

Chamsai Menasveta

11 December 2012