(a) whether each country of the world needs to remove its trade barriers in the current time/scenario for its economic growth;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether India has also reduced trade barriers during the last four years in order to meet the requirement of economic growth; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI SURESH PRABHU)
a) to d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 265(H) FOR ANSWER ON 31st DECEMBER,2018 REGARDING “TRADE BARRIERS”.
(a) and (b): The lowering of trade barriers generally facilitates trade growth between nations. This could promote economic growth through enhanced economic opportunity, create jobs and lead to enhanced consumer welfare.
(c) and (d): India addresses trade barriers through economic engagement and negotiations in the bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral forums. During last four years, on the tariffs side, the expanded India-Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) has entered into force since 16 May, 2017 and the fourth round of the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) is being implemented since 1st July, 2018.India also negotiates and raises concerns on non-tariff measures from time to time, including Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and in bilateral / regional /multilateral forums.
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