Taiwan in free-trade talks with India, Indonesia.

TAIPEI--Taiwan's government said Monday it is negotiating free-trade agreements with India and Indonesia, and has started a feasibility study on sealing a similar pact with the Philippines.

The news came after Taiwan and New Zealand signed a free-trade agreement last week in Wellington. Taiwan is also in the final stage of concluding similar arrangements with Singapore.

The island has recently stepped up efforts to sign free-trade pacts with its trading partners, a move that will boost its international trade profile and could help reduce its dependence on mainland China.

At a press conference Monday, Taiwan's Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Cho Shih-chao told reporters negotiations with India and Indonesia have been "very smooth and are likely to be concluded soon."

Source : marketwatch.com