A CONSULTATION session will be held in Perth on June 13 to discuss the merits of a free trade agreement between Australia and India. The Western Australian state office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will hold roundtable consultations at its Exchange Plaza conference room on Sherwood Court to discuss a joint feasibility study into the issue, which both countries have agreed to undertake. According to DFAT, the study will examine the potential impact on Australia and India of an FTA, including implications for economic growth, trade in goods and services, and investment, as well as for other commercial linkages. The joint study is expected to be completed by early 2009. “The trade and investment relationship between Australia and India is important to both countries and is growing rapidly,” a DFAT statement said. “In 2007, India was our sixth largest market for goods exports. It was our sixth largest market for goods and services combined in 2006-07. “It is also our fastest growing major export market – with both goods and services exports increasing by an annual average of over 34 per cent over the last five years.”
