Business remain slow at India-Asean Expo despite bilateral bonhomie

The proposed ambitious pact between 10 Asean economies and six others is still stuck after 24 rounds of talks

Slow and lacklustre best describe business at the 4th India-Asean Expo and Summit 2019. Lone stalls featuring just a few brands wore a slightly deserted look, despite trade ministers and diplomats from the nations of the Asean bloc taking to the stage on Thursday along with Indian officials to herald new heights of trade.

Aimed at bringing together buyers and sellers from both sides and allowing Indian exporters to gain a foothold in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bloc, the annual expo has seen little participation from the private sector.

Organized by the Commerce Department and the Federation