The recent World Trade Organization’s (WTO) negotiations on non-agricultural market access (NAMA) came pretty well for the Indian party. India made its views clear by coming up with a formula focussing on addressing the issues of tariff peaks, high tariffs and tariff escalation of products of export interest to developing countries.

And rightly, all from India Inc. will unanimously agree along with me that this was the only way to get equitable results in the multilateral trade negotiations.

Tariff peaks refer to the exceptionally high levels of tariffs imposed by developed countries on certain products in contrast to their average tariff levels while tariff escalation means higher level of tariffs imposed on products with higher value addition.

But here our Commerce Minister, Mr. Kamal Nath, has also to fulfill his earlier commitment to pursue economic reforms in an inclusive manner so that the benefits percolate down to all sections of the society.

The National Trade Policy of 2004-09 has indeed taken an integrated approach to serve as a cultivator of economic growth and employment to help achieve the India's development objectives.

However, what I found to be a step towards easing the exim community’s difficulties were Mr Nath’s aggressive negotiations to facilitate easy movement of professionals across borders to deliver services.

In my opinion visa rules and procedures, and grant of work permits have to be facilitated without narrowing them by the impediments of market access under Mode 4.

Without doubt India, which has been engaged in negotiations for economic cooperation agreements with various countries and trading blocs, can create market access opportunities for Indian professionals too.

The ministry seems to have struck the right chord. When the music will start playing is another thing altogether. But from past experience, it shouldn’t take long.