A high level panel shares ways to bolster trade

A high-level advisory group (HLAG) on trade and policy led by Surjit Bhalla, a former member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council was formed last year in September. The panel recommended simpler regulatory and tax framework for overseas investment funds, enabling individual investment from abroad in Indian debt and capital markets, and state-specific policies to facilitate foreign direct investment in agro-processing. Other suggestions include a single ministry for the regulation of medical devices across the value chain, an independent commission on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, a simpler medical visa regime and health insurance portability of social security entitlements across countries.