17 hrs ago
India, Mauritius Weigh Broader Product Access Under CECPA
India and Mauritius have a trade agreement called the CECPA.
It makes it easier for some products from each country to enter the other country.
Officials from both countries will meet for three days starting October 7.
They will review how much trade has happened under the agreement.
They will also discuss adding more products to the list of goods receiving lower tariffs.
India wants to solve problems such as non-tariff barriers that can make trade harder.
The countries may also cooperate on product standards, customs, food safety, and professional qualifications.
India’s exports to Mauritius increased only modestly but became more varied after the agreement began.
India and Mauritius will discuss expanding preferential market access under their 2021 economic partnership agreement.
The three-day High Powered Joint Trade Committee meeting begins October 7 and will address trade barriers and implementation.
The CECPA currently covers 310 Indian product lines in Mauritius and 615 Mauritian product lines in India.
India’s exports to Mauritius rose from $442 million in FY21 to $473.64 million in FY26, with greater product diversification.
Discussions may include standards cooperation, customs assistance, sanitary rules, and recognition of professional qualifications.
- Who
- Officials from India and Mauritius, including their High Powered Joint Trade Committee delegations.
- What
- They will review the CECPA and discuss expanding product coverage, trade barriers, and related cooperation.
- Where
- The meeting concerns trade between India and Mauritius; the articles do not specify its venue.
- When
- A three-day meeting begins October 7; the CECPA came into force in April 2021.
- Why
- To increase market access, address trade-related impediments, and review implementation of the agreement.
Key facts
- Agreement
- The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement came into force in April 2021.
- Current coverage
- Preferential access covers 310 Indian products in Mauritius and 615 Mauritian products in India.
- Meeting
- The second India-Mauritius High Powered Joint Trade Committee meeting will last three days and begin October 7.
- Indian exports
- Exports to Mauritius increased from $442 million in FY21 to $473.64 million in FY26.
- Certificates of Origin
- Indian exporters have obtained 1,956 Certificates of Origin to claim CECPA preferential tariffs.
- Export diversification
- The number of HS 8-digit tariff lines exported to Mauritius rose from 3,593 in FY22 to 4,345 in FY26.
- Potential cooperation
- The agenda may include standards, conformity assessment, sanitary and phytosanitary equivalence, customs assistance, and professional recognition.
Quotes
A source familiar with the Commerce Department’s position
Unnamed source discussing India’s efforts to expand CECPA market access
“The three-day meeting, to be led by senior officials from both sides, will take stock of trade flows under the CECPA, discuss trade-related impediments and possible solutions, take stock of the ongoing trade in local currency and also review progress on several decisions taken at the first HPJTC session in 2022.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“Indian exporters have so far obtained 1,956 Certificates of Origin to avail preferential tariffs under the CECPA. The number of HS 8-digit tariff lines exported to Mauritius rose from 3,593 in FY22, before the agreement, to 4,345 in FY26, with exports across these lines valued at about $473 million.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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