August 3, 2019
India highlighted its contribution and urged all RCEP participating nations to be flexible for achieving a balanced outcome
The Commerce Secretary held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from China, Australia and ASEAN leaders
The 16-member RCEP is keen on meeting the year-end deadline for wrapping the negotiations for the mega trade pact
During the meeting with ASEAN Economic Ministers, the Commerce Secretary highlighted the importance of services trade
The 8th RCEP Inter-sessional Ministerial meeting was held in Beijing on 2nd and 3rd August 2019. The Commerce Secretary, Anup Wadhawan, led the Indian delegation. India highlighted its contribution and urged all RCEP participating nations to be flexible for achieving a balanced outcome. The 16-member RCEP is keen on meeting the year-end deadline for wrapping the negotiations for the mega trade pact expected to be the world’s biggest regional trade agreement covering nearly half of the world’s population and a third of the global economy.
On the side-lines of the Ministerial Meeting, the Commerce Secretary held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from China, Thailand, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and ASEAN Economic Ministers. In his meeting with Boonyarit Kalayanamit, Permanent Secretary of Thailand, the Commerce Secretary requested Thailand to improve its offer in goods and services under RCEP. In his meeting with Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, the Commerce Secretary requested Singapore to support the operationalization of the MRA on nursing as agreed in the 2nd CECA review.
During the meeting with ASEAN Economic Ministers, the Commerce Secretary highlighted the importance of services trade which supports both goods trade and investment. Commerce Secretary also met Mr Simon Birmingham, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment of Australia wherein both sides negotiated on the way forward on each other’s requests including service sector related requests of India. Commerce Secretary requested greater market access for Indian goods and services from Mr Enggartiasto Lukita, Trade Minister of Indonesia.
During his meeting with Myung Hee Yoo, Minister for Trade, Republic of Korea, Commerce Secretary pushed for concrete measures to improve the India-Korea CEPA and address concerns regarding imbalances. He also asked for early resolution of issues pertaining to market access for India’s services sector. The Commerce Secretary also met S. Tanaka, Vice Minister for International Affairs of Japan and Damien O’ Connor, Minister of State for Trade, New Zealand.