World Trade Organization Organisation Mondiale du Commerce Organización Mundial del Comercio

Reply (a): The status of these bills is as under:

• 
  The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011 was introduced in Parliament (Lok Sabha) in March 2011 and referred to Standing Committee on Finance for their examination.
  
• 
  The Regulation of Factor (Assignment of Receivables) Bill, 2011 was introduced in Parliament (Lok Sabha) in March 2011 and it was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance for their examination.
  
• 
  The State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks Laws) Amendment Bill, 2011 has been passed by Parliament (Lok Sabha) on 11 August 2011.
  

Reply (b): The opening of foreign bank branches by foreign banks, existing and new, in India is subject to India's WTO commitment of 12 branches in a year.

Maritime Transport Services

Singapore 21:

We note from the Secretariat's report (WT/TPR/S/249, page 163, para 137) that India is considering the enactment of a Shipping Trade Practices Bill to regulate the provision of maritime transport services. Would India be able to share some of the regulations that it is being proposed in this Bill, and the implications for foreign companies and service suppliers of maritime transport services?

Reply: The Shipping Trade Practices Bill seeks to facilitate swift and efficient movement of goods in India in relation to export or import or coastal cargo by:

1. 
   Bringing transparency in trade practices of shipping transport logistics service providers (referred to "service providers") by:
   

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