On November 4, 2016, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published in the Federal Register a final rule [Docket No. 160810723-6723-01] that amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to implement changes in controls on arms and related materiel to Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. BIS also updates the EAR to recognize the accession of India as a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
On October 14, 2016, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) published in the Federal Register a notice requesting comments [Docket Number USTR–2016–0018; Dispute Number WTO/DS510] in the WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding concerning certain measures relating to the renewable energy sector in the United States, which was initiated on September 9. 2016 by India filing a request for consultations. You can find that request at www.wto.org in a document designated as WT/DS510/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
On 23 August 2016, the new UK Department for International Trade (DIT) released a “Survey to identify trade and investment barriers in 7 overseas markets”.
The UK government is planning to hold joint economic and trade committee meetings with Brazil, India, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam by the end of 2016. The aim of these dialogues is to discuss bilateral trade and investment issues and to strengthen the UK’s economic, industrial and commercial ties with these markets.
On 21 April 2016, India notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 19 April 2016 a safeguard investigation on unwrought aluminum. In the notification, India indicated as follows: “All interested parties may make their views known within a period of 30 days from the date of the notice issued (i.e. 19 April 2016) by the Director General (Safeguards) to: The Director General (Safeguards) Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan: 2nd Floor, Bhai Vir…
In Press Note No. 3 released on March 29, 2016, the Government of India (“GOI”) announced that 100% foreign direct investment (“FDI”) is now permitted in e-commerce “marketplaces” in India, subject to certain stringent caveats. India’s e-commerce sector is poised for dramatic growth over the next few years (largely driven by exploding Internet and smartphone penetration in India, among other market catalysts such as evolving e-payment systems) and continues to attract significant FDI inflows…
The WTO announced that on 3 March 2016, India notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat that it has initiated a WTO dispute proceeding against the United States regarding measures imposing increased fees on certain applicants for two categories of non-immigrant temporary working visas into the US, and measures relating to numerical commitments for some visas. According to India, the measures appear to be inconsistent with US commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in…
In a significant move to boost foreign direct investment in India’s single brand retail trading[1] (“Single Brand Retail”), the Government of India (“GOI”) in a Press Note released on November 10 announced its liberalized Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”) policy that eases local sourcing requirements and approval process for FDI in Single Brand Retail, among other major reforms.Unveiling the FDI reforms for as many as 15 sectors and noting India’s improved ranking in World Bank’s…
On April 16, 2015, the Department of State published in the Federal Register a notice [Public Notice: 9095] that outlines the U.S. Government (USG) actions taken to extend certain sanctions relief under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (NDAA) as part of the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), that halts progress on Iran’s nuclear program and rolls it back in key respects in exchange limited, temporary, and targeted sanctions relief to Iran…
On November 27, 2014, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy, Trade and Industry jointly announced that the sixth round of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be held in India, from December 1 to 5, 2014. In this round of negotiations, the meetings of the Trade Negotiating Committee, in which senior officials will participate, and of working groups on Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Investment, Economic and Technical Cooperation,…