By NNN-VNA
Vientiane : Officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India gathered in Vientiane, Laos, on Feb 13-15 for their 19th consultation meeting on a free trade area (FTA) between the two sides.
The meeting was aimed at discussing and identifying the models of trade between ASEAN and India, according to local sources.
The completed draft of a new trade model will be reviewed and signed by both ASEAN and Indian economic ministers at their informal meeting to be held in May.
During the meeting, participants also discussed the draft of a treaty on trade in goods, and an agreement that addresses problems associated with the validation of certificates of product origin.
India accounts for less than 2 percent of the ASEAN’s total trade and 0.2 percent of foreign direct investment in the region.
ASEAN is comprised of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.