(a) whether the Government has signed any agreement on industry/trade with Bhutan;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total percentage of Indian export to Bhutan every year;
(d) the percentage of Indian import from Bhutan; and
(e) the total amount of foreign exchange likely to be earned by India as a result of the above agreements?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY( SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)
(a) & (b): Agreement on Trade and Commerce signed in 1995 between the Governments of India and Bhutan lays down the basic framework governing trade and transit between India and Bhutan. The Agreement has been renewed with effect from March 2, 2005 in its existing format pending finalization of a new agreement. Bilateral discussions on the new agreement are expected to begin shortly.
(c) & (d): The details are as follows:
(In crores of Indian Rupees)
2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005(Apr to Nov)
India`s Exports to Bhutan 36.24 188.96 399.08 237.08
India`s Imports from Bhutan 114.09 155.61 240.66 163.27
% Share of Bhutan in India`s 0.02 0.07 0.14 0.11 total export
% Share of Bhutan in India`s 0.05 0.05 0.07 0.05 total import
Source: DGCI&S, Kolkata.