Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman has said that tough negotiation process are ahead at the World Trade Organisation, WTO to make the trade facilitation agreement, TFA in services proposed by India, a reality. <br/><br/>Addressing a trade facilitation workshop organised by World Bank in New Delhi today, Ms Sitharaman called for fast tracking of the negotiation process for a trade facilitation pact in services at the WTO, saying multilateral organisation cannot afford to deliver slowly in the present political reality of the globe. She said, the lessons that have been learnt from coming to a consensus on TFA in goods through a dialogue process are crucial. <br/><br/>Ms Sitharaman hoped that the negotiating process would not be for very long time. The Minister said, India's proposal on TFA in services was not specifically about new market access in services, however was about removing hurdles. She also emphasized the need for efficient and fair flow of services to promote international trade in services. She also urged the World Bank to engage with the WTO on TFS as it would help in generating traction for the pact. On allegation that India is in list of countries that put high level of restrictions on services trade, she stated that this is not right and the reality is different.<br/><br/>India had recently gave a formal presentation on its proposal for a TFA in services at the WTO. The trade facilitation in services proposal aims at liberalising rules for movement of professionals and other steps to decrease transaction costs to enhance growth of the services sector. India is pitching for the trade facilitation agreement in services as the sector contributes over 60 percent to the GDP and 28 percent to total employment.

Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman has said that tough negotiation process are ahead at the World Trade Organisation, WTO to make the trade facilitation agreement, TFA in services proposed by India, a reality. <br/><br/>Addressing a trade facilitation workshop organised by World Bank in New Delhi today, Ms Sitharaman said, the Government found that countries that are driving the services industry and those with inputs from knowledge-based spectrum are not willing to support a trade facilitation agreement in services. She said, the lessons that have been learnt from coming to a consensus on TFA in goods through a dialogue process are important.<br/><br/>Ms Sitharaman hoped that the negotiating process would not take very long. The Minister said, India's proposal on TFA in services was not specifically about new market access in services, however was about removing hurdles. She also emphasized the need for efficient and fair flow of services to promote international trade in services.<br/><br/>India had recently gave a formal presentation on its proposal for a TFA in services at the WTO. The trade facilitation in services proposal is with the objective of liberalising rules for movement of professionals and other steps to decrease transaction costs to enhance growth of the services sector. India is pitching for the trade facilitation agreement in services as the sector contributes over 60 percent to the GDP and 28 percent to total employment.