India, ASEAN hope to resolve differences on FTA

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SINGAPORE, Nov 20 (PTI): India and ASEAN hope to resolve differences over few issues which impede their much-awaited free trade agreement (FTA), as Indian Commerce Minister flies in here today for day-long talks with his counterparts.
Differences continue over tariffs and market share, especially for palm oil, pepper and black tea, officials said on conditions of anonymity.
The minister will have tete-a-tete with his counterparts from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and will also meet the ASEAN economic ministers.
Malaysia, which holds the Chair for ASEAN's tariff negotiating committee, wants India to reduce duty for crude and refined palm oils to 30 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.