India, ASEAN to start talks on opening services sector
The Hindu | 17 August 2008
India, ASEAN to start talks on opening services sector
New Delhi (PTI): Having wrapped up long-drawn negotiations on free trade agreement for merchandise goods with ASEAN, India will push for greater market access for services and investment in the 10-nation Southeast Asian trading bloc.
"The two sides are likely to start talks in September for an agreement in services and investment, and hope to conclude negotiations by December 2009," a senior official said.
India is looking forward to a pact with ASEAN in the services sector, which contributes about 55 per cent to the Indian economy. The agreement would throw open a large market for services like banking, information technology, telecom, education and tourism.
