Bhubaneswar: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay led an industry engagement session in Agra ahead of the signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Officials highlighted that the agreement is being positioned as a comprehensive partnership extending beyond tariff reductions. It will cover areas such as trade, investment, mobility, and people-to-people ties, signalling a deeper strategic economic collaboration between the two countries.
The engagement placed a strong focus on Agra’s leather industry, which is targeting growth to USD 50 billion by 2030. Stakeholders noted that the FTA could accelerate high-value manufacturing and strengthen India’s position in global sourcing networks.
Industry representatives also welcomed provisions related to pharmaceuticals and medical devices, pointing to faster regulatory access and the inclusion of a dedicated AYUSH chapter as key enablers for sectoral growth.
The Union Minister urged businesses to actively leverage opportunities arising from the agreement, particularly in education, talent mobility, and cross-sector collaboration, to maximise the long-term benefits of the India–New Zealand partnership.
-OdishaAge
