-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Text: U.S., India Establish Economic Focus Groups To Promote Trade
For additional information, see U.S.-India: Strengthening a Global Partnership (http://usinfo.state.gov/sa/south_asia/india_summit.html). (First session of trade policy forum concludes in New Delhi) (700) India and the United States agreed to establish focus groups on agriculture, tariff and nontariff trade barriers, services, investment and innovation and creativity as a result of the inaugural session of the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum in New Delhi. According to a November 13 joint statement issued by the forum's co-chairs, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and India Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Kamal Nath, the focus groups have been established "with a view to facilitating and promoting greater trade and investment flows between the two countries." The groups will meet on a regular basis under the supervision of the trade policy forum vice-chairs, India Commerce Secretary S.N. Menon and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Karan Bhatia, the statement said. During the talks in New Delhi, the two sides also discussed tariff and nontariff trade barriers, agriculture, investment, services, intellectual property, and the Doha round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks. Regarding the Doha round, the next session of which is schedule to take place in Hong Kong in December, "both sides expressed the hope that the wide gaps in the negotiating positions of WTO members can be narrowed," the joint statement said, and called for "renewed energy and commitment" among the participants.
