New Delhi has renewed its commitments to reduce tariffs under sensitive list by 20 per cent for SAARC countries by next month. This will meet India's commitment to reduce these tariffs. Addressing the South Asia Forum meeting in New Delhi last evening, the Commerce Minister Mr. Anand Sharma said that this will fulfill a critical requirement of the SAFTA agreement signed by SAARC member countries. He informed that India has been bringing down the peak tariffs under SAFTA in a very transparent manner for imports from Pakistan and the peak rates will be 8 per cent. He said the Pakistani side has assured that they will work internally towards meeting its SAFTA obligation to India. He called for creating a more conducive investment climate to promote the trade among the members of the group countries. It is at present just 13 billion US dollars. AIR correspondent reports that hectic discussions are on in the two-day conclave towards evolving a consensus so as to enable South Asia to emerge as an important regional economic grouping. The two-day meeting which began on Thursday with Ministers, policy makers and captains of Industry from all the SAARC nations participating is organized by Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with FICCI.
News On AIR | September 9, 2011 11:48 AM
SAARC: India to reduce tariffs under sensitive list by 20%