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.