» Consultation on EFTA-India FTA
The Ministry of Commerce has delegated the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to conduct the consultation process regarding FTAs between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as well as the European Union (EU). The first round of consultation is in process, and one of these meetings took place in Delhi on June 3rd, titled “Stakeholder Consultation on India’s FTAs with EU and EFTA countries.” During the meeting, UNCTAD presented a list of products which are to be liberalized at a slower pace, or not liberalized, as they are considered as “sensitive products”. Tariffs for all products not mentioned on this “sensitive list” will see import tariffs removed. Seeing such a list for the first time, many industry representatives expressed their discomfort with responding to the list and giving their final word on it (EFTA-India Note and proposed Sensitive list). They asked for more time to give their inputs and consult their members. It was said that more meetings will be held in different cities, but information regarding the time and place have not been made public.

Industry feedback on non-tariff barriers a must: Dept of Commerce
Business Standard | June 5th, 2009
With industry responses dwindling for negotiations FTA, especially with the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, the Department of Commerce has called for feedbacks and inputs on sensitive products.