Progress expected in Asean trade pact review at month-end summit

TRADE TIES m India is seeking greater market access through easing of some technical and non-tariff barriers m The deadline for the completion of the review has been set at 2025-end m AITIGA came into effect in January 2010

- MUKESH JAGOTA

SOME HEADWAY IS expected in the review of the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) before the next meeting of the joint commission (JC), which is spearheading the efforts, an official said.

At the August meeting of the JC,the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had made a proposal to address concerns on India regarding the rapidly expanding trade deficit with the grouping since AITIGA came into force.To that proposal, India has presented a counter proposal.

“India’s counter proposal is under active consideration by the Asean side. We are hopeful that we will soon be able to resolve the outstanding issues and take the review forward,” the official said