India, Sept. 15 -- India and Mercosur, a bloc of five South American countries, have signed an agreement to accept Certificates of Origin in electronic form instead of only paper documents, in a move aimed at facilitating paperless trade between the two sides, according to a Government statement. To seek duty concessions under a trade pact, an importer has to furnish proof or a 'certificate of origin' of a product from the FTA (free trade agreement) partner.

"India and Mercosur signed the first additional protocol to the India-Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to facilitate acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin, marking an important step towards facilitating paperless trade and modernising customs procedures," the com...