Meeting with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Ulsan and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry “Continuation of RCEP negotiations” December 11, 1:04
METI met with Ministers in charge of RCEP = East Asian Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in India, and agreed that Japan would cooperate to strengthen India's industrial competitiveness. I confirmed that the negotiations will continue.
On November 10, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Ulsan, who visited New Delhi, met with Indian Minister of Goyal, who is in charge of RCEP negotiations, for about an hour.
In order to increase the industrial competitiveness of India, it was agreed to establish a new framework for Japan to cooperate in the construction of industrial parks, the reduction of logistics costs, and the support of SMEs in the financial sector.
On top of that, it was confirmed that India would stay in RCEP and continue negotiations.
Regarding RCEP, India had a strong backlash from the domestic industry and suggested a withdrawal, but for Japan, the focus was on India's response from the standpoint of connecting India, which has a huge market of 1.3 billion people. It was.
After the meeting, Mr. Hatakeyama said, “I shared the concerns of India and said that Japan would work as a bridge to resolve it. If this is resolved, the possibility of a conclusion in 16 countries "I think there is," he reiterated his policy to reach a conclusion in 16 countries, including India.
Indian Goyal Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
After meeting with Mr. Ulsan, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, India's Goyal Minister of Commerce and Industry explained the position of the Government of India regarding RCEP = Comprehensive Economic Partnership in the East Asia region in Parliament.
In this, Goyal said that India did not agree at the RCEP summit in Bangkok last month, saying, “We didn't sign it because it was not our interest. Reduction and protection of domestic industry. "
On top of that, “We shouldn't close the RCEP door, but we must steer it wisely. We will guarantee to step for the interests of the country,” while showing a policy of staying in negotiations, He stressed that he would not respond to an agreement that would not be possible.
Also, Mr. Goyal, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of the meeting held with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, “I discussed all the issues and explained the trade deficit. Japan wants to open the market and increase trade with India.” Sought cooperation in solving the problem.