Project Leader: Dr. Arpita Mukherjee
Research Team: March 2011
Commencement: March 2011
Completion: May 2012
Funded by: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of IndiaIndia is engaged in Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements (CECAs) with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand since 2005. India’s CECAs with Singapore and Malaysia are now operational, while with Indonesia and Thailand, negotiations on CECAs which include goods, services, investment and economic cooperation are currently going on. The study investigates the possibilities of liberalizing and enhancing trade in services under the proposed CECAs between India-Indonesia and India-Thailand. Based on secondary data analysis, primary survey and stakeholders’ consultation, the study examines the pattern of current trade and identifies areas of trade potential and cooperation. It lists the barriers to trade and investment in services and suggests negotiating strategies for the Government of India. This study will provide inputs into the Government of India’s negotiations on India-Thailand and India-Indonesia CECAs.