more-inIndia, which is in talks for the proposed mega-regional Free Trade Agreement (FTA) along with 16 other Asia Pacific nations, has expressed disappointment over the inadequate progress in talks on services trade liberalisation especially for facilitating easier movement of professionals for short-term work in these countries. The negotiations for the FTA, officially known as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), started in November 2012. It includes the 10 ASEAN member States and six nations that have existing FTAs with ASEAN – India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. Official sources said the talks are likely to stretch into the first half of 2018 as several aspects of goods, services and investment have not yet been negotiated. In return for eliminating or reducing tariffs on goods, India wants RCEP member countries to work toward liberalisation across all modes of services, including movement of professionals.

Source: The Hindu May 23, 2017 16:21 UTC