The positive aspect of ASEAN FTA

The Leftists have unleashed negative propaganda that the ASEAN FTA will break the backbone of the Kerala economy. This was highlighted by the ex_CM of Kerala, Mr Ommen Chandy.

Mr Chandy points out that the four major items, viz - tea, coffee, pepper and Palm Oil - are in the Negative List, known as the Execution List. There are five lists - ordinary list, special list, execution list, sensitive list and highly sensitive list - and there are 12,168 items included in all. The items in the negative list are protected and there is nothing to fear for Kerala. 489 items are in the Negative list, of which 303 are agri products. The prevailing import tax will be there for all items in the Negative list and hence their uncontrolled imports will be discouraged.

Copra, cocounut, rubber, rice, cashew, honey, tapioca, mushrooms, sardines, shrimps, crab, fish products, milk and milk products, banana, pine apple, mangoes, orange, grapes, apple, elaichi, nutmeg, vanilla, ginger, turmeric etc are all in the Negative List.

The main products of Kerala, coffee, tea, pepper and Palm Oil are in the Special List. The import tax of these will have to be brought down to 50% or less within ten years.

The services - investment pact will greatly benefit India and Indian IT companies will conquer the ASEAN market !

Jupiter in the Seventh in India's horoscope is responsible for the signing of this pact, which gives India access to one trillion dollar ASEAN market !