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Anand Sharma, Man of the month – SME World, ASEAN, Foreign Trade Policy

Aroon Sharma
Sep 2009

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One of the most sought after Union ministers by the media (need I add -- that by the chambers of commerce and industry, and industrialists, too! ) is Anand Sharma. Though I haven't sought an appointment as yet but I am told he is as amenable and accessible as ever. The deftness with which he manages the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry often reminds me of what Jawahar Lal Nehru's foresight was on progress:

“It is necessary to plan, to direct, to organize and to co-ordinate; but it is even more necessary to create conditions in which a spontaneous growth from below is possible….Of course, everything has ultimately to be judged by the general progress, development and advancement of the human beings involved, not by a show-structure put up for others to see so that you may be able to show of your skill.”

But for the deadline of early August which I had to meet, Anand Sharma would have been, for sure, my 'Man of the Month', a month back. However, it was August 14 when he appended his signatures on the Free Trade Agreement with the 10-nation Association of South East Asean Nations ( ASEAN ). To be operational from January 1, it would up the two-way trade between India and ASEAN from $40 billion to $60 billion.

Credit goes to the Prime Minister too, for he handpicked the UPA-II Industry and Commerce Minister. Concededly, domestic concerns are there in FTA. But in Anand Sharma's words: “I can say negotiations have been painstaking. The negotiations have ensured that our sensitive areas where we had concerns are fully addressed.” Thus, Under Union Finance Minister, a Group of Ministers (GOM) stands constituted.

The FICCI hailed Anand Sharma, saying: “The FTA…clearly points out the need for quickly completing the pending internal reforms and adjustments to be made by the Indian industry…with accelerated internal reform measures…efficient trade mechanism…the Indian industry would be able to overcome various 'disabilities'…take advantage of the opportunities….meeting the challenges arising out of the Agreement.”

The CII was not behind in compliments for Anand Sharma. It said: “ASEAN is an important market for Indian industry. The FTA would give us access to a trillion dollar ASEAN economy.” ( For record, ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Phillipines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) is India's fourth largest partner, and the two together offer a mighty market of 170 plus consumers.)

Were one to imagine the 'Mount of Files' before Anand Sharma as he burnt the midnight oil, before the largest ever trade deal was signed by an Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, here's an insight on the new era he has ushered in which in the times to come would cascade from the industry to the individual; from commerce to the consumers. Analysts have advised patience and perseverance. I agree as much I can.

1) Duty free import and export of 4,000 products mainly steel, textiles, sugar, tobacco for eight years;

2) No duty on 80 % goods traded between the two by 2016.

3) India has included 489 items ranging from agriculture, textiles, chemicals and so on, in the negative list. These products will be kept out of the duty reduction

4) Black tea, coffee, pepper, rubber etc in the sensitive list pending duty cut in 2019.

After making possible the hitherto impossible, so aptly summed up Anand Sharma: “Agreement with ASEAN is well-balanced and is in harmony with India's Look East policy.” ( The Policy offers India an opportunity to upgrade its products and compete with products from Japan, the European Union, the United States and China. ASEAN already has deals with China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. )

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