Publication

This paper discusses the initial stages of implementation of the June 2005 Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Singapore. The author discusses CECA as a classic example that the disparity in size does not matter when it comes to economic cooperation. She argues that Singapore is expected to serve as a gateway for India to access the markets of East and Southeast Asia, while India is likely to provide Singapore with its expertise and skill in high-technology areas like IT, electronics and pharmaceuticals, besides being a large market. The paper concludes that India needs foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly for the development of its poorer states, whereas from the point of view of Singapore, the CECA provides an avenue for gainful employment of funds and the availability of skilled manpower at competitive costs.