The Philippine government urged Tuesday Filipino exporters to look for opportunities in India amid slowdown in key markets like the United States and Europe and the existing trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India.

Bureau of Export Trade Promotion Director Senen Perlada said that the ASEAN-India trade agreement opens market opportunities for Filipino exporters engaged in furniture, food and beverage, personal care products and information technology.

"Engaging in FTA (Free Trade Area) markets such as India will help maintain the country's competitiveness, promote cross-border complementation and sustain the inflow of investments," Perlada said.

He said the ASEAN-India trade has steadily grown over the past five years from 21.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2007 to 43.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2011. This is due to the growing affluence of Indian consumers, with a GDP per capita of 1,489 U.S. dollars and an annual food and beverage consumption valued at over 3 billion U. S. dollars. India's changing lifestyle and consumer habits also resulted in the rapid expansion of branded food outlets and cafe chains in the area.

In 2011, India was the Philippines'18th top trading partner, 17th top export destination and 15th top import source.

All 10 ASEAN states are currently implementing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement. Under the agreement, exports such as live fish, cut flowers, black tea, spices, vegetable saps and extracts, olive oil, breads and pastries, fruit juices, kitchenware, construction materials, essential oils, soap and polymers among others will enjoy zero tariffs by 2019.

These products currently have reduced tariff from 7 to 24 percent in the Indian market. Endi

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