India-Singapore CECA Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement The Investor's Guide

Countries today are finding it effective to complete globally and drive domestic growth by reducing trade barriers and strengthening bilateral economic ties with neighbouring countries via free trade agreements. They have been effective in raising the level of commitment of countries with the mutually shared objective of advancing trade and promoting economic cooperation.

Singapore, in particular, has concluded a series of free trade agreements with neighbouring countries to increase investment flow in and out of the country. One of the most recent and significant development for Singapore is the signing of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) on 29 June 2005. The bilateral agreement, aimed at improving trade between the two countries, is also expected to open up investment opportunities in areas such as education, science, air services, media, e-commerce, intellectual property and advance flow of human resources.

Investors seeking to exploit the advantages of this agreement will be able to use this publication as an essential reference guide to facilitate their decision making process about investing and opportunities available in both India and Singapore. Conceived, written and edited by the India Practice Group of Wong Partnership, one of Singapore’s leading law firms widely regarded for its wealth of experience in India, this book includes policy insights and commercial perspectives from the Institute of South-East Asian Studies (ISEAS) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) respectively reviewing India’s economy, growth industries and the impact of CECA chapters dealing with goods and services, real estate and construction, movement of natural persons and dispute resolution, amongst others. There is also a dedicated chapter looking at improvements in the bilateral tax treaty between Singapore and India.

Written with investors from both Singapore and India in mind, the publication is highly informative and practical and will serve as a first port of reference for anyone seeking to understand the challenges and unlock new business opportunities in India and Singapore under CECA.