(a) whether the Government proposes to improve regional trade;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the amount likely to be spent in this regard; and
(d) the number of custom-duty centres functioning on land routes at the borders of
the country at present?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (c) It is the endeavour of the Govt. to improve regional trade.To improve cross
border regional trade in South Asia, the Govt. had concluded a Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) with Srilanka in December 1998 which is in operation since March 2000. South
Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was concluded on 6th January, 2004 and is in operation
since 1st January, 2006. India also has free trade arrangement with Bhutan & Nepal.
We are also investing in upgradation of the infrastructure at the Land Customs Station.
(d) There are 75 functioning Land Customs Station in the country at present.