Reasons for Second Review of India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement Taking Eight Years to Complete
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the reasons for the eight-year duration of the second India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) review and the details of the ongoing third review. Ms Hazel Poa inquired about contentious issues and current negotiation topics, leading Minister Gan Kim Yong to explain that reviews require extensive consultations without prescribed timelines. He highlighted that the second review resulted in expanded tariff concessions for 30 products and updated rules of origin to improve the price-competitiveness of Singaporean exports. Minister Gan Kim Yong emphasized that specific negotiation details are kept confidential to maintain diplomatic trust, though the final outcomes and concluded texts are published online. These periodic reviews ensure trade agreements remain relevant to evolving economic interests, regulations, and trade flows between Singapore and its partners.
Transcript
8 Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what are the reasons behind the second review of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) taking eight years to complete; (b) what are the main contentious issues in the second review of CECA; and (c) what are the issues under review in the current third review of CECA.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: MTI periodically reviews our trade agreements to keep them updated and relevant, given that economic interests, business models, regulations and trade flows between Singapore and its trade partners will change over time. All our Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including CECA, have provisions to review and amend the agreements.
There is no prescribed timeline for negotiating or reviewing FTAs. During the Second Review of CECA, both parties carefully studied the proposed changes, conducted consultations, exchanged views and discussed counter-proposals before reaching an agreement on a mutually beneficial package of amendments. The Second Review expanded tariff concessions for an additional 30 products and updated the rules of origin. These provide more flexibility for Singapore exports into India to qualify for preferential tariffs under the agreement. Singapore exporters benefit as their products become more price-competitive in India, while Indian consumers gain from lower-priced goods.
Details of past and ongoing FTA negotiations between both parties are confidential. Revealing details, such as issues that are covered, would constitute a breach of confidentiality and erode trust in Singapore as a partner, making future negotiations more difficult. However, the outcome of the review is publicly available and the concluded text is published online.