The 3rd meeting of AITIGA Joint Committee for undertaking the review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) was hosted by India in Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi from 16-19 February 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India and Ms. Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General (Trade), Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry, Malaysia. Delegates from ASEAN countries viz. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Viet Nam participated in the meeting.
The AITIGA was signed in 2009. In September 2022, both sides tasked the AITIGA Joint Committee to undertake the review with the aim of making the Agreement more trade facilitative and mutually beneficial. A total of eight Sub-committees have been constituted under the AITIGA Joint Committee for undertaking negotiations on different policy areas related to the Agreement. The first two meetings of the Joint Committee were held in May and August 2023.
The Joint Committee in its 3rd meeting held detailed discussions and took stock of the progress in the negotiations. The Sub-Committeesreported the progress and outcome of their discussions related to market access, Rules of Origin and Standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures to the Joint Committee. Following the intense discussions, the Joint Committee outlined the focus areas for further deliberations and updated the work programme for the Review while providing necessary guidance to the Sub-committees to carry forward the negotiations.
India-ASEAN trade has grown to USD 131.58 Bn in 2022-23. The review of AITIGA will facilitate further expansion of trade between India and ASEAN in a balanced and sustainable manner.Both sides are aiming to conclude the review in 2025. The 4th meeting of AITIGA Joint Committee is planned to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in May 2024.
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