Summary Of 7th Round Of Negotiations On Japan-India EPA

by Mary Swire, for LawAndTax-News.com

16 May 2008

The 7th round of negotiations on the Japan-India Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was held from May 12th to May 15th 2008 in New Delhi, India.

In this round, Masaharu Kohno, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Chief Negotiator for Japan, and officials from relevant ministries and agencies of Japan, and G. K. Pillai, Commerce Secretary of the Department of Commerce, the Chief Negotiator for India, and officials from relevant ministries of India respectively participated.

The overall negotiations were assessed in the plenary meeting at the chief-negotiator-level and such issues as market access in trade in goods, other issues relating to trade in goods (general rules, rules of origin, customs procedures), investment, intellectual property, improvement of business environment, cooperation, other areas (competition, government procurement, non-tariff measures (SPS, TBT)), and general/final provisions were discussed.

Good progress was made in all the negotiating areas during this round.

Additionally, regarding market access for trade in goods, both sides made clarifications on their “offers” for tariff elimination and reduction, and discussed, among other topics, how to proceed in their discussions on specific products.

The next 8th round of negotiations will be held in Tokyo in July, 2008.

The detailed schedule will be determined through the diplomatic channels.

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