India-Singapore
Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreement (CECA)
- During the visit of Prime Minister to Singapore in April 2002 to India,
a Joint Study Group (JSG) for establishing a Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between the two countries was set up on 8th
April 2002. The JSG submitted its report to the two Prime Ministers on 8th
April 2003.
- The JSG identified areas of increased economic engagement between the
two countries and also recommended measures to be taken. The JSG recommended
the early launching of negotiations for a CECA to be structured as an
integrated package of agreement between India and Singapore including :-
- A Free Trade Agreement, which would include, inter-alia, trade in goods
and services and investment.
- A bilateral agreement on investment promotion, protection and
cooperation;
- An improved Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement;
- A more liberal Air Services Agreement and Open Skies for Charter
Flights; and
- A work programme of cooperation in a number of areas including health
care, education, media, tourism and the creation.
- ‘Declaration of Intent’ was signed between the two countries on 8th
April 2003. Negotiations on CECA were launched in New Delhi on 27-28 May
2003. Commerce Secretary headed the team of Indian negotiators while
Singapore was led by their Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade &
Industry, Singapore. Twelve Rounds of negotiations were held alternatively
in India and Singapore.
- The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India
and Singapore was signed on 29th June, 2005 by the Prime Minister
Mr. Manmohan Singh and H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of
Singapore. The CECA has become operational with effect from 1-8-2005.
- India-Singapore CECA has been notified at the WTO on 3rd May
2007 under GATT Article XXIV and GATS Article V.
- The tariff concessions offered by India have been completed on 1st
April 2009. On Singapore’s request to grant additional concessions on
specific products, India has approved tariff reduction/elimination on 539
products. The 539 tariff lines have been included in the amendment to India
- Singapore CECA which was signed by the representatives of the two
countries on 20th December 2007. These concessions would be completed by
December 2014.
- India-Singapore CECA is reviewed from time to time and the first round
of review was concluded on 1st October 2007.
- Second Review of India-Singapore CECA was launched by the Commerce &
Industry Minister, India on 11th May, 2010. Accordingly, the 1st
SSecretary level meeting of the 2nd Review was held in
Singapore on 3rd
August, 2010. Thereafter, Working Group meetings on Goods and Services &
Investment were held in Singapore on 2-3 November, 2010 and on 14-15
December, 2010 respectively.