Ficci calls for removal of proposals in Nama Draft

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has also called for additional market access to Indian service providers and professionals in developed countries.

Ficci has called for scraping of a proposals related to anti-concentration, according to which sensitive tariff lines (goods) that would not be subjected to import duty cuts , cannot be concentrated in one particular sector or sub-sector.

The Indian industry has been vehemently opposing the proposals, as it feels that sectors like auto-components, textiles, marine products as well as leather would be adversely impacted by it.

According to Ficci, the clause limits the scope of provisions like flexibility, that addresses sensitivities of small and medium industries in the country. The industry body has already written to WTO director general Pascal Lamy on the issue.

"Para 7(d) of the 10 July Text on NAMA is still restrictive because it would seek to put constraints on the use of flexibilities by developing countries like India", said Ficci secretary general Amit Mitra, in  a statement released here.

Ficci has also been demanding to make sectoral negotiations non-mandatory in the current Doha Round of world trade talks.

Sectoral negotiations are for elimination of duties in certain specific sectors.

Ficci also called for elimination of barriers, that prevent smooth transaction of trade in services.

"Indian business is relying on the services negotiations to have effective market access in the areas of professional and other business services in developed countries. These negotiations could play a vital role in dismantling the domestic regulation barriers restricting the supply of services by our professionals in the developed markets provided EU and US firmly indicate in the signaling conference that they are willing to offer effective market access in these areas" Mitra said in a release.