China urged to ease business visas
The Commerce Secretary Dr. Anup Wadhawan has expressed India’s concerns regarding market access and other issues leading to imbalanced trade between some of the partner countries at the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership meeting in Beijing.
He also flagged off bilateral market access related issues on various categories of products in which discussions are ongoing between India and China.
In his meeting with Wang Shouwen, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, he emphasized the importance of an RCEP agreement that would duly address the causes of existing trade imbalances.
He also emphasized the importance of easing the business visas regime of China for Indian business travellers.
Dr Wadhawan, who led a delegation to the 8th RCEP Inter-sessional Ministerial meeting on 2-3 August 2019, highlighted India’s contribution in shaping the RCEP negotiations till date.
He advocated a spirit of understanding accommodation and flexibility towards reaching balanced outcome in the negotiations.
On the side-lines of the Ministerial meeting, the Commerce Secretary also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Thailand, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and ASEAN Economic Ministers.
He also called on Thailand to improve its offer in goods and services under RCEP during his meeting Permanent Secretary Boonyarit Kalayanamit.
He also met Singapore Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing and requested Singapore to support operationalization of the Mutual Recognition Agreement on nursing as agreed in the 2nd CECA review.
Dr Wadhawan also called for speedy progress on the 3rd CECA review.
During the meeting with ASEAN Economic Ministers, the Commerce Secretary highlighted the importance of services trade which supports both goods trade and investment. fiinews.com
