India-Asean deal next month

The framework agreement on a comprehensive economic cooperation, covering trade in goods and services, between India and Asean is expected to be signed in Bali next month.

An official press release said the Asean Economic Ministers and Commerce Minister Arun Jaitley held their second round of consultations in Phnom Penh and broadly agreed with the recommendations of the task force that prepared the draft framework.

Trade between India and Asean grew from $ 9.88 billion in 2001 to $12.11 billion in 2002.