Minister of State (MOS) for Commerce and Industry’s statement

onAITIGA review

19^th AEM-India (ASEAN-India Economic Ministers) Consultation

16^th September 2022, Siem Reap City, Cambodia

1. I am glad that both sides have agreed to the endorsement of the Scope of review of AITIGA and are now taking firm steps towards the commencement of the review by activation of AITIGA Joint Committee.

2. I commend the Senior Officials from all the partner countries in completing this Scoping exercise and showing the desired flexibility on a number of contentious issues to finalise the Scope.

3. India has already conveyed its concurrence to the Scope of review on 14^thMarch 2022 and is looking forward to the setting up of Sub-committees/Working groups by the Joint Committee and kickstart the negotiations. We look forward to an early first meeting of Joint Committee for Review of AITIGA.

4. I would further like to emphasize that India is equally committed to make the agreement simple, trade facilitative for business and mutually beneficial, as mandated by our leaders.

Thank you.

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