Title: Trade interaction between India and ASEAN countries: an empirical study

Authors: Abey P. Philip; Mathew Alappatt

Addresses: School of Business, Curtin University Sarawak, CDT 250, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia ' School of Business, Curtin University Sarawak, CDT 250, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract: This paper investigates the importance of relevant macro variables of trade between ASEAN countries and India. It is also important to analyse the significance of different bilateral agreements and its impact on Indian international trade. GATT and WTO have been advocating trade liberalisation and bilateral agreement and aims to promote free trade among the member countries. This paper tries to look into India's market led regional interaction among ASEAN countries. The national saving of ASEAN countries and free trade agreement seems to be influencing the bilateral trade of India. The study shows that increase in national saving helps ASEAN countries to mobilise their investment opportunity to India. Increase in inflation may lead to appreciation of ASEAN currency compared to Indian and it negatively influences the international trade in India. More importantly, the study found out that distance significantly influences the international trade and it means that still we are far away the concept of the global village. The study depicts that free trade agreement promotes the international trade and it helps countries to reduce their indirect costs. This paper will help the policy makers to understand how much international trade and involvement in bilateral agreement is helping India to become an important role player in Asia.

Keywords: trade interaction; India; ASEAN countries; international trade; economic growth; bilateral trade agreements; free trade agreements; FTAs; national savings; investment opportunities; inflation; distance effect; indirect costs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2015.070898

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2015 Vol.8 No.5, pp.534 - 545

Published online: 31 Jul 2015 *

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