The 5th AITIGA Joint Committee and related meetings were held from July 29 to August 1, 2024, at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. These meetings aimed to enhance economic cooperation between ASEAN countries and India, focusing on the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
Main Objective
The primary goal was to review and update AITIGA to align with current trade conditions, making it easier for ASEAN countries and India to trade with each other and strengthen their economic ties.
Background on AITIGA
Establishment and Purpose
AITIGA was established in 2009 to facilitate trade between ASEAN countries and India. By reducing trade barriers and promoting free trade, AITIGA helps strengthen economic relationships. The recent meetings aimed to assess and improve the agreement to better suit today’s trade environment.
Recent Focus
The recent discussions, starting in May 2023, have been focused on reviewing and updating the agreement. Terms of Reference and Negotiating Structures were set up, and actual negotiations began in February 2024.
Structure of Recent Meetings
Co-Chairs and Attendance
The meetings were co-chaired by Shri Rajesh Agrawal from India’s Department of Commerce and Ms. Mastura Ahmad Mustafa from Malaysia. Delegates from all 10 ASEAN countries and India attended, ensuring comprehensive representation in the discussions.
Sub-Committees and Their Functions
Eight sub-committees were formed to address specific areas:
- National Treatment and Market Access: Focused on equal treatment and market entry.
- Rules of Origin: Defined the criteria for goods to be considered as originating from member countries.
- Standards, Technical Regulations, and Conformity Assessment Procedures: Addressed technical standards and regulatory practices.
- Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures: Dealt with food safety and animal/plant health standards.
- Legal and Institutional Issues: Covered legal frameworks and institutional arrangements.
- Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation: Streamlined customs processes and trade logistics.
- Trade Remedies: Addressed measures to counteract unfair trade practices.
- Economic and Technical Cooperation: Focused on collaborative economic and technical projects.
Each sub-committee reported their findings to the Joint Committee to guide future discussions.
Bilateral Engagements
Purpose and Activities
During the meetings, the Indian delegation held bilateral talks with delegates from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. These talks aimed to better understand specific issues and perspectives.
Industry Engagement
At a dinner organized by the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, the Indian delegation spoke with Indian businesses. This engagement aimed to gather insights and expectations about the AITIGA review, emphasizing the initiative’s goal of achieving practical outcomes for industry stakeholders.
