PRESIDENT-SPACE 2 LST

Pointing out that the economic reforms has integrated our
economy with the rest of the world, and has brought in many
opportunities, she said, "India emerged as a favoured
destination for foreign companies, corporations and
businesses".
She said the country's commitment to continue to engage
with the world remains and "we will look at ways in which we
can enhance our trade and economic ties with other countries".
The Government recently signed free trade agreements
(FTAs) with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) and South Korea.
The FTAs with Sri Lanka and Singapore are already in
operation.
The country has been also building global pressure for
conclusion of the Doha Round of WTO negotiations for further
opening the world trade.
However, it was the country's large domestic market which
stood it well in the backdrop of recession, said the
President.
"Our strong domestic market and upwardly mobile middle
class population, along with healthy growth rates, all point
towards our growing economic clout in the world" Patil said.
She said as the nation expands its infrastructure, there
will be opportunities for over USD 550 billion in the next
five years for investment. PTI