GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 846

ANSWERED ON:19.03.2012

CO OPERATION IN SERVICES SECTOR WITH ASEAN COUNTRIES

DINESH CHANDRA YADAV

(a) whether the decision to extend the scope in trade and services sector with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), countries is in final stages;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the present status thereon;

(c) the details of the services that are likely to be considered for extension of cooperation between the two countries;and

(d) the extent of benefits likely to be accrued to India as a result of this agreement?

ANSWER

 (a) & (b) India has signed an Agreement on Trade in Goods with ASEAN on 13th August, 2009. Negotiations concerning 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.

(c) Negotiations on the services that are likely to be considered for extension of co-operation between India and ASEAN are under way.

(d) The extent of benefits likely to accrue to India as a result of this Agreement in services sectors could be assessed only when negotiations are completed.