Eu Wants Tractor Import Curbs Eased
The European Union is holding talks with the Indian government on removal of restrictions on importing tractors in India. Tractors can currently be imported only under a special import licence.
The EU has been holding talks with the Indian government since last year on how to sort out the matter of restrictions on tractor imports, said Heinz Handtrack, director, trade and economics, European Autom-obile Manufacturers Associat-ions (Acea). Handtrack confirmed that the talks had been initiated after a complaint by an European automobiles major last year. However, he refused to dsclose the name of the complainant. Acea is a professional body representing the interests and combined skills of 14 European car, truck and bus manufacturers including BMW, Fiat, GM Eur-ope, Scania, Volvo and Porsche.
Handtrack said such restrictions could send out wrong signals at a time when the economic reforms are being appreciated worldwide by the business community. Investment in the Indian tractor market by European auto companies is being held up because of this, he added.
He was not forthcoming on the status of the talks. However, he said since India is a member of the World Trade Organisation, such restrictions must be removed to facilitate fair competition.