» India-ASEAN FTA
Several fisheries Trade Unions organized a convention on 24th September 2009 at Ernakulam, under the banner of the Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee. They issued a call for a March to Parliament on November 11, to oppose the recently signed FTA in goods between the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India; with a unanimous demand for “No fish imports” (Fishworkers call for march to parliament). The State Government of Kerala has announced the formation of a representative committee to study the impact of the ASEAN- India FTA on the fishing community. The committee will submit its report within one month. Protests against this FTA, likely to be enforced from January 2010, are taking place not only in Kerala but in Karanataka as well, with fish workers opposing this agreement.

A recent commentary by Parthapratim Pal and Mitali Dasgupta published in the Economic and Political Weekly finds that “the agricultural sector in India, particularly plantation sectors like tea, spices, coffee and rubber will be negatively affected. Marine products, textiles and garments, and the auto components industry are also likely to face increased competition due to the AIFTA [ASEAN-India FTA].” Additionally, as talks for opening up the services sector are yet to start, it also states, “It is also not clear whether it makes strategic sense to sign the TIG [Trade in goods] agreement without finalizing an agreement on liberalization of trade in services between India and ASEAN” (The ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement: An Assessment).

Fishermen, farmers to protest free-trade agreement
The Times of India | September 19, 2009
Many fishermen and farmers' organizations in Mangalore have taken umbrage at a move by the Union government to sign a FTA with ASEAN. The organizations will register their protest on October 2.

Petty producers in State will be hit by Asean pact
Express News Services | September 19, 2009
India’s quest for hegemony in South-East Asia by any means, including the ASEAN FTA and additional one-to-one agreements with other countries will affect the interests of mass petty producers in the country, especially those in Kerala, said State Planning Board vice-chairman Prabhat Patnaik.

‘Discuss FTA in Parliament’
The Hindu | Sept 20, 2009
Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation State president T. Peter has demanded that the Indo-ASEAN FTA be comprehensively discussed in Parliament before being implemented.

Also see:
ASEAN pact to hit Kerala's agrarian economy: CPI(M)
The economic Times | September 19, 2009
‘Burgeoning trade deficit may upset ASEAN FTA’
Express News Services | September 20, 2009
Tea planters seek financial cover against FTA ‘sting’
The Economic Times | September 22, 2009
Plantation sector fully protected, says Sharma
Business Line | September 24, 2009
Free Trade Agreement will benefit India: Scindia
The Hindu | September 24, 2009
Clarification on FTA with ASEAN
The Hindu | September 25, 2009