Taking the inter-regional integration efforts (for more trade and industry) on exporters’ level is the most important pillar of the new launched “Focus ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and 2 (Australia and New Zealand) “Programme of Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.

The new programme has been chalked out along the lines of programmes such as “Focus-LAC” and “Focus Africa ‘, which has proved fruitful.

India is the traditional export basket in the countries of ASEAN is composed of elements such as gems and jewellery, grain, chemicals, electronic goods and iron and steel, with no evil the demand on the route of a certain category of products. Events trade in this region of Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPCs) are in financial assistance from the government under the Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme.

India-exports to ASEAN countries reached $ 4.62 billion during the period 2002-03, from $ 1.63 billion in 1998-99. Currently, ASEAN is a dominant trading partner of India, for example accounting for 9 percent of total trade. Two avenues of trade is now $ 9.8 million, with a trade deficit of 0.5 billion dollars.

The main markets are India, Singapore (export refunds from India was $ 1.4 billion over the period 2002-03), Indonesia ($ 0.8 billion), Malaysia ( $ 0.75 billion), Thai country ($ 0, 7 billion) and Philippines ($ 0.5 billion).

During a recent workshop on the theme “Doing Business in South East Asia”, organised jointly by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Capexil, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Mr. Samir Ghosh, Senior Vice - - Chairman of Capexil, there is an urgent need to improve economic cooperation between India and ASEAN countries by the work quickly on the path of an India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

ASEAN countries, Mr. Ghosh, it may be regarded as one of the main destinations for Indian exports, reaching $ 30 billion by 2008, according to a recent study.

The ADB says Ghosh has forecast economic growth of 5.4 per cent by the year 2005 for the ASEAN region. While high growth is expected to Vietnam and Thai country, for the rest, it is likely to hover in the range of 4.5-5.5 percent.

Mr. Ghosh told Business Line that some ASEAN countries have made enormous progress on industrial and technological development, particularly in areas such as ceramics, glass and glassware, plywood and wood and rubber . The main products Capexil region of ASEAN are minerals, rocks, tires, glass, paper, electrodes, books and rubber products.

Requested the Council support programmes in the region, “said Ghosh including participation in trade fairs in Vietnam and Australia (Design Build in Melbourne, Australia), next to the buyer-seller meets in India and the ASEAN countries.

NEW DELHI, Jan 14 Asia Pulse - As part of efforts towards greater increase in trade, commerce aggressive Ministry is working on the conclusion of trade alliances with countries in the region of Asia South-East and some countries in Latin America.

Going by current indications, India is likely to ink agreements on preferential trade (ESP) with Latin American countries, Uruguay, Chile and the Mercusor group this year.

PTI officials of the ministry says that projects PTA with Uruguay had already exchanged, and it was still a formal signing by trade ministers for some time in February.

A PTA with Chile has also planned to be completed during a visit by a high-level delegation, Chile again this month.

In addition, the ministry was also working on a PTA with the Mercusor group - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

In the meantime, ASEAN-India Economic Linkages Task Force, working on a draft agreement aimed at improving economic cooperation, also had its first meeting recently decided on a timetable for the conclusion of its report.

A source said the Task Force is probably now the presentation of its report in August this year the minister.

A joint study by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research pointed out that ASEAN and India offer a large market with a total population of 1.48 billion human beings and, Therefore, there is great potential for enhancing trade and investment flows between the two.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is pleased that the establishment of NIS College in Bangalore, India, the fifth colleges NIS overseas. After the success of the first four colleges overseas NIS, NIS College in Bangalore opens up new opportunities for students NIS for the work to Bangalore, the capital of India, information technology, while taking classes the famous Indian Institute of Science (IISc) up to a year. This is the first overseas-NIS NIS university for graduate students.

The NIS IISc agreement was formalised duing the visit of His Excellency Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, president of the Republic of India, on Wednesday, 1 February 2006 on the campus of the NIS in Singapore. Dr. SE Kalam is on a two-day visit to Singapore from 1 to 2 February 2006. In the NIS, His Excellency Dr. Kalam NIS meet students and staff for a dialogue session.

NEI President Professor Shih Choon Fong said: “The NIS College in Bangalore, a partnership with the world famous Indian Institute of Science (IISc), is our fifth in the world and second in Asia. India is a sign, as the World Information Technology Central with a multitude of possibilities for economic cooperation and research. With the immersion of our students in computer-Indian hotspot, we hope to promote innovative technology and entrepreneurs with a strong awareness of cross-cultural understanding. NIS IISc partnership brings closer to Singapore and India Broadening our common interests in the field of higher education and research. ”

Since 2001, NEI, universities have been established in Silicon Valley and Philadelphia in the USA, Shanghai, China and Stockholm, Sweden. Colleges overseas NIS (NOC) program aims to maintain momentum and to see entrepreneurs selected by immersion in the NIS corporate university students from the business environment hubs in the world. Students spend a year as trainees in the sectors high-tech start-ups, and discipline and entrepreneurship based on the prices of partner universities.

The NIS College in Bangalore is unique because it is the first college overseas NIS for graduate students. So far, only for undergraduates NIS, NIS program overseas universities now offer opportunities for NIS doctoral work in Bangalore, India’s Silicon Valley, and the prestigious IISc.

IISc welcomes the strengthening of their cooperation with the NIS, research in the future. Founded in 1909, the IISc is a centre for training and research in science and engineering in India with more than 2000 students and 420 teachers work in almost all border areas of science and technology. IISc is one of the oldest and finest centres of its kind in India, and the establishment of a great international reputation in academia.

NIS planned to send the first part of doctoral students in Bangalore by the end of this year. For a period of one year, students work full time as interns in start-up or technology-based businesses, while taking part-time courses in IISc in the fields of science, technology and economy

Singapore, February 1 (PTI) Singapore envisages the creation of a Special Economic Zone in India to help flood IDE east of the city today, the two countries have agreed to an Asian Economic Community, in time to implement comprehensive economic cooperation agreements to promote trade and explore the untapped potential cooperation in science and technology.

Singapore’s Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said the visit of President APJ Abdul Kalam here this afternoon that his country was seriously, if the SEZ in India, Secretary (East) Rajiv Sikri told journalists here.

The issue of SEZ had come, while Goh met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi last month and the topic was once again in its meeting today, where leaders of Singapore said Minister of State plan for the city in this regard.

Kalam material possessions talks with Singapore President SR Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Boong Goh later after a ceremonial reception at the presidential palace on the first day of his three-day visit. The broad economic cooperation agreement (CECA), signed six months ago, was a “milestone” deal and lays the foundation for the further development of bilateral trade, “said Sikri.

Given the importance of the timing of the implementation of the ECSC, it was agreed that the two countries to maintain a period of one year in August this year, said Secretary-General.

Given the seriousness of India and Singapore in the operationalization of the ECSC, Trade and Industry Minister Kamal Nath to visit this country next month to review the progress made in implementing measures the transaction, according to Sikri.

He said, efforts were made to the modalities, including the establishment of bank branches in India and Singapore in the other country for the implementation of the agreement.

The implementation of the CECA would help decision of India, a market of 30 billion dollars with ASEAN countries in the years to come.

CECA is an important contribution to the current rate of 40 to 50 percent annual growth in bilateral trade, “said Sikri.

It was agreed by both countries, that science and technology was a new untapped area for future cooperation, he added.

Goh said India and Singapore should be a centre of science can benefit both. In this context, he called the “Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and the National University of Singapore, their centres in Bangalore and Singapore. On the question of a journalist, the president Kalam said he was a good Stage IIM-B and National University of Singapore, their centres in other countries.

Sikri said, it was agreed that education is an important link between the two countries.

The National University of Singapore, where Kalam made his second Power Point presentation of the day, 940 students and staff scientists from India.

Nathan expressed his satisfaction on the development of bilateral relations and the huge growth Allround in relations that have taken place within five to six years.

This was mainly due to frequent exchanges of high-level visits, “said Sikri.

Singapore has been very positive in India to develop links with ASEAN and the two countries share the vision of a prosperous Asia, he said.

The central issue facing India and Singapore was set up mutual trust and confidence and synergising their basic skills, he added.

The Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh and President of the Italian Council of Ministers, Professor Romano Prodi, today reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a strategic partnership based on the close understanding and excellent political dialogue between the two countries and strengthen economic cooperation and trade, defence, culture, science and technology, higher education and research, space and environment.

Both sides have agreed on a framework of regular meetings between ministers-chairmen, will be held alternately in India and Italy. They stressed the importance of annual consultations at the level of foreign ministers and regular consultations between senior officials of the two foreign ministries.

The two sides stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral trade and investment, in order to detect potential exists considerable, and reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate exchanges of business, so that bilateral trade could lead to a substantial increase over the next three years.

The economic events in New Delhi, Bangalore, Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai during the visit, the interactions between enterprises on both sides and opens up new possibilities for improving cooperation in the fields of agriculture, textiles and clothing, leather, jewellery, wood work and Machine tools, automobile and automotive components, energy, fashion, design, cinema and infrastructure.

Both sides have agreed on the need to improve contact between SMEs. Given the success of the Italian industry cluster model for growth in the manufacturing sector, they have agreed on the exchange of experiences and training on the Italian model.

Both sides noted that the complementarity between the two countries to further development of cooperation in the field of design. Italian forces in the design and technology, in conjunction with India for the manufacture’s skills and capabilities of human resources for the mutual benefit. A Centre of Excellence in designing training set up jointly by India and Italy in the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (India).

Given the benefits of closer cooperation in promoting the protection and promotion of intellectual property rights, the two leaders agreed that both sides cooperate to work in the fields of competence buildingactivities, human resources development and public awareness.

The services sector has the potential for additional contribution to strengthening economic relations. She noted with satisfaction the positive developments in this regard and the introduction of innovative financial instruments by the Italian banking sector to facilitate direct investment and joint ventures.

The leaders were in line with recommendations of the first meeting of the Indo-Italian CEO Forum in New Delhi on February 15, 2007. Both sides expressed the hope that the work of this forum would contribute to bilateral trade and investment links.

The two sides welcomed the establishment of joint working group on infrastructure and looked forward to the active collaboration in this area. It also decided to strengthen cooperation in the field of information technology.

The processing of foodstuffs is another area of bilateral cooperation underway. Both parties have the possibility of cooperation for the establishment of a meal in Kolkata Testing Laboratory; creation of a joint Indo-Italian Foundation for the food industry and the development of an agro Food Park.

Both sides noted with satisfaction the positive results of the direction of bilateral scientific and technological cooperation and the high level of cooperation, universities, research centres and public and private institutions of both countries agree, and it will further strengthen. She noted with satisfaction that, during the Indo-Italian cooperation in synchrotron in Trieste and the results of the ITPAR (Thirty-India agenda for advanced research) Draft Micro Systems, Material Science, computing and telecommunications. They also agreed to continue to support the activities of the ICGEB (International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology).

Italy is an important partner for India to research in space. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the ASI (Italian Space Agency) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and welcomed the installation of thermo-vacuum chamber ISRO Satellite Center in Bangalore and to the forthcoming introduction of the “Agile” satellite PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).

They agreed that the defence sector presents opportunities for further cooperation.

Cultural cooperation has always been at the forefront of relations between the two countries. The two sides welcomed the signing of Cultural Exchange Program for 2007-2009, and agreed to enhance cooperation and exchanges, especially in the fields of music, visual arts, design, restoration and preservation of ‘historical legacy and cinema. They also agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking in cultural values and the promotion of academic exchange between universities.

Singapore, 1 February: Singapore is considering setting up a Special Economic Zone in India to help in augmenting FDI from the city state as the two countries Wednesday [1 February] agreed to work towards an Asian Economic Community, implement on time Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and explore the untapped potential for cooperation in science and technology.Singapore’s senior minister Goh Chok Tong told visiting President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam here Wednesday…

NEW DELHI: The series of free trade agreements (FTA), India, not long ago, turns into headache for the government because of the sensitivity of the risk areas such as farm and ‘textile industry. A complete review of all such agreements is on the cards. Deals on the drawing was also under the scanner. In the meantime, the government should increase quotas classified (TRQs) in all free trade agreements on the protection of farmers and small industries.

The free trade agreement follows relook at the growing recognition that the benefits of these agreements are poorly against India, in most cases. Top government officials feel that Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECAs) are preferred, because the services of the element to contribute to such alliances, and India Inc

ASEAN, the free trade area, for example, has a high degree of asymmetry. Regarding the potential for macro-commerce, the benefits for the members of ASEAN and India is in a ratio of 1:4. Indonesia and the Philippines were the main beneficiaries. It is understandable that, Jairam Ramesh, the minister of state for commerce, has drawn the attention of authorities on the effects of ASEAN, the free-trade zone. The PMO and the Ministry of Finance, with the exception of the Trade Division, including all these alliances with regard to the consequences for the economy.

The export potential for the ASEAN members, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have estimated in the study of $ 10.2bn. By comparison, the potential benefits for India was only $ 2.7bn.

This asymmetry was clearly in a joint study by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research, and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. “The combination commercial potential amounts to $ 12.9. However, it is fairly high degree of asymmetry. India and potential export trade amounted to $ 2.7bn that during the ASEAN-5 is $ 10.2bn, which we almost A ratio of 1:4. It is interesting to note that the enormous potential that exists for trade and Indonesia, the Philippines indicated. This is probably due to the low base of export trade with India, “says the study.

This study was conducted on the method of UNCTAD and the use of historical data in the future benefits of the project for the two partners in the free trade agreement. India has dye CECA with Singapore and distinct from the free-trade agreement with Thailand. In the case of Sri Lanka, a free trade zone is already in place and discussions are planned for a CECA.