4034 Outline of the Agreement between Japan and the Republic of India for an Economic Partnership

In September 2010, Japan and the Republic of India confirmed the substantive agreement on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the Republic of India (JICEPA), on the basis of a series of negotiations since January 2006. The JICEPA was signed by both countries in February 2011, and entered into force in August 2011.The JICEPA became the twelfth economic partnership agreement for Japan, following those concluded with Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, Chile, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, all of ASEAN, the Philippines, Switzerland and Vietnam.

1. Summary of the Agreement
The JICEPA promotes liberalization of trade in goods and services and facilitation of investment between Japan and India, enhances bilateral economic partnership, as well as strengthens cooperation in various areas including movement of natural persons and intellectual property.

2. The significance of the Agreement
India is Japan's 13th export partner and 29th import partner (2022 Trade Statistics, Ministry of Finance).
The JICEPA contributes to expand further business chances and strengthen not only economic but also whole relationship between Japan and India by designing liberalization and facilitation of trade, promotion of investment, and system maintenance of related fields.

3. The key elements in the Agreement
   (1) Trade in goods: Agreement on comprehensive tariff elimination and reduction for mining and industrial products, and for agricultural products in bilateral trade.
   (2) Customs procedures: Provisions for simplification and harmonization of customs procedures, cooperation and information exchange to secure trade facilitation and effective enforcement at the border, etc.
   (3) Technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures: Provisions for designation of an enquiry point, establishment of a sub-committee, cooperation on generic medicine, etc.
   (4) Trade in services: Provisions for promotion of trade in services, and strengthening of basic rules.
   (5) Movement of natural persons: Provisions for approval of entry and temporary stay, facilitation of procedures, etc.
   (6) Investment: Provisions for liberalization and promotion of investment between two countries.
   (7) Intellectual property: Ensuring adequate, effective and non-discriminative protection of intellectual property, which goes far beyond the commitment level in WTO.
   (8) Improvement of the business environment: Provisions for establishment   of a sub-committee, a consultative group and a liaison office for promotion of trade and investment between two countries.
   (9) Cooperation: Bilateral cooperation in 12 areas (environment, trade and investment promotion, infrastructure, information and communications technology, science and technology, energy, tourism, textiles, small and medium enterprises, health, entertainment and information, metallurgy, and other fields to be mutually agreed upon by the Parties).