New Delhi, Sept. 14 -- India and the MERCOSUR bloc signed the First Additional Protocol to the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement to facilitate the acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin, establishing a framework to streamline customs operations and implement paperless documentation between both jurisdictions.

According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the protocol amends Article 16 of Annex III governing Rules of Origin under the preferential trade pact. The amendment provides that "Certificates of Origin issued in electronic format shall have the same legal validity and identical value as Certificates of Origin issued in paper format."

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal signed the instrument on behalf of the Go...