NEW DELHI: Full implementation of the free trade agreement (FTA) in goods between India and the Asean bloc will help boost trade between the two regions, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary said today.He said however that connectivity and infrastructure are major challenges to further push the trade ties between India and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).India and the 10-nation bloc signed the FTA in goods in 2009. "India is working with Asean on multiple connectivity projects," he said, adding that the country has made considerable progress in the construction of trilateral highway -- India-Myanmar-Thailand.This highway begins from Moreh in Manipur and ends in Bangkok, going through Myanmar. There are talks to extend the project to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) is also under implementation. Imports too grew to USD 40.61 billion in 2016-17 from USD 40 billion in the previous year.The commerce ministry said in a statement that the Asean -India expo is showcasing products and services in areas including manufacturing, engineering, ICT, healthcare, tourism, environment, agriculture, Science & technology, logistics and reta

Source: Economic Times January 23, 2018 10:07 UTC