Today, the Japan-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement has entered into force. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will make efforts for proper implementation of this Agreement, aiming to further enhance the economic relationship between both countries.

1. Today, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the Republic of India (Japan-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) has entered into force.

2. The objective of this Agreement is to liberalize and facilitate trade with India, which has the third-largest economy in Asia and has maintained strong growth in recent years, to promote investments between both countries, and to improve systems for related fields, etc. Upon the entry into force of this Agreement, it is expected that the economic relationship between Japan and India will further be strengthened. It is also expected that this Agreement will be a powerful driving force for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA), which is promoted by ASEAN + 6.
   (Note) ASEAN + 6: ASEAN + Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand

3. This Agreement is the Japan’s 12th EPA, following the economic partnership agreements which have already come into force with Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, Chile, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, ASEAN, Philippines, Switzerland and Vietnam.

4. METI will make efforts for proper implementation of this Agreement, aiming to further enhance the economic relationship between both countries.

August 1, 2011

Asia and Pacific Division, Trade Policy Bureau