India will soon be submitting a proposal at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to start discussions on trade facilitation agreement (TFA) in services. Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that India had already floated the concept note for the same and is now moving further towards a proposal. She added that they will soon submit a proposal for more discussions on that. The ministerial meeting of the WTO will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 11-14.
India vying for an agreement to promote services trade as the sector contributes over 60 percent to the Gross Domestic product (GDP) and 28 percent in the total employment. Under this, it has suggested liberalisation of rules for movement of professionals and other steps to reduce transaction costs. Highlighting the importance of the services sector in pushing the country's economic growth, the minister has said that India is organising the third 'Global Exhibition on Services (GES)' in April in Greater Noida.
India is pushing for a TFA on services to promote trade in this sector along with goods. The TFA in goods will come into force once two-thirds of members have completed their ratification process. It contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and compliance issues.
Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia has said that the sector is very important and areas like IT, healthcare, tourism, logistics hold huge potential for trade and investments. She added that the sector accounts for 33 per cent total exports.
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