https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/s...pe-to-conclude-trade-deal-review-soon-iswaran
India, Singapore hope to conclude trade deal review soon: Iswaran
Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran shaking hands with Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra on May 16, 2018. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Published
May 17, 2018, 8:35 pm SGT
Nirmala Ganapathy
India Bureau Chief
NEW DELHI - India and Singapore "should be able to conclude" a review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) soon, Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran said during a two-day visit to India which concluded yesterday.
Economic ties between the countries have grown since they signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in 2005, with bilateral trade expanding from US$6.7 billion in 2004-05 to US$16.7 billion in 2016-17.
A review of the CECA has been taking place for over six years with India seeking greater access to Singapore for its professionals and banks.
Mr Iswaran told The Straits Times: "Our officials have been working very hard behind the scenes and I think we are optimistic that we should be be able to arrive at a conclusion soon."
He did not give further details.
India, Singapore hope to conclude trade deal review soon: Iswaran
Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran shaking hands with Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra on May 16, 2018. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Published
May 17, 2018, 8:35 pm SGT
Nirmala Ganapathy
India Bureau Chief
NEW DELHI - India and Singapore "should be able to conclude" a review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) soon, Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran said during a two-day visit to India which concluded yesterday.
Economic ties between the countries have grown since they signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in 2005, with bilateral trade expanding from US$6.7 billion in 2004-05 to US$16.7 billion in 2016-17.
A review of the CECA has been taking place for over six years with India seeking greater access to Singapore for its professionals and banks.
Mr Iswaran told The Straits Times: "Our officials have been working very hard behind the scenes and I think we are optimistic that we should be be able to arrive at a conclusion soon."
He did not give further details.