SINGAPORE (Dow Jones) — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plans to conclude an air services agreement with India by the end of next year to boost regional movement of both passengers and cargo, a senior ASEAN official said.
"Initial discussions at the technical level have already taken place and there is a commitment at the highest level to sign this agreement in 2012," ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General S. Pushpanathan said on the sidelines of a conference organized by the Institute of South Asian Studies.
He said the agreement will facilitate opening up of more point-topoint routes for air services between India and ASEAN countries. Budget airlines, business enterprises and tourists visiting Buddhist sites are likely to be the main beneficiaries, Pushpanathan said, noting that bulk of the flights between India and the Asean region are currently to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
He said a free trade agreement between ASEAN and India on investment and services is being finalized and is likely to be inked in the first quarter of 2012.
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