Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit to Laos is being seen as a header for a brilliant and dependable future with the members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Being an economist himself, Dr Singh has understood the essence of trade with these South-east countries. His visit will indeed boost ASEAN-India Partnership for peace, progress and shared prosperity.
Of late, the Indian government has indicated that it’s time the Indian manufacturer and exim Inc. look at the markets in the South-east Asian countries. His visit to north-eastern India was another step towards shifting the exim community’s gaze towards the ASEAN countries.
However, exporters and importers have always been involved in business even before Dr Singh’s realization, but with a renewed momentum set by the government machinery will definitely act as a confidence builder among the traders.
Dr Singh has also met other Asian leaders where he pushed forward India’s case and they showed eagerness for economic ties.
However, a lot is still to be done for India to remain competitive in the world scenario. It has to get into some pact, just like the six most developed South-east Asian nations who have agreed to abolish tariffs in 11 major sectors by 2007 - three years earlier than originally planned.
An India-ASEAN pact where tariffs between member nations are dropped should be worked upon. For starters they can start by doing away tariffs in health-care, rubber-based products, agricultural-based products, tourism, e-commerce and textiles and apparel.
Dr Singh’s journey has just begun. Let’s hope he brings home something that will indeed be helpful for the traders. Till then all eyes will be trained on the good doctor.
