FTA | DD News

October 7, 2026 3:58 PM

Commerce Ministry sets up FTA utilisation cell to to help businesses tap trade pacts

The Department of Commerce has set up an FTA Utilisation Cell to explain the benefits and opportunities available under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and help Indian businesses make greater use of them, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said on Wednesday. The cell will work closely with industry associations, Export Promotion Councils and state governments to help businesses utilise FTAs, identify new market opportunities and benefit from the market access created through the agreements. ...

September 21, 2026 4:22 PM

India-New Zealand FTA to come into force on October 20: Piyush Goyal

India’s trade engagement with New Zealand and Canada is set for a fresh push, with the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) scheduled to come into force on October 20, 2026, coinciding with Dussehra, while India and Canada have agreed to fast-track negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the entry-into-force date of the India-New Zealand FTA on Monday during a virtual interaction with New Zeala...

August 24, 2026 10:32 AM

India negotiating FTAs with 8-9 more blocs, aims to cover 75% of global trade: Piyush Goyal

India is in negotiations with at least 8-9 more groups of countries and individual nations that together account for another USD 15 trillion of GDP, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. He added that the country's free trade agreements would eventually cover about 75 per cent of global trade and help position India as a trusted partner in global value chains. India has a large domestic market and it opens its doors to the world with nine free trade agreements signed in t...

August 12, 2026 5:55 PM

India sees 15% export growth in first four months, targets USD 1 trillion this year: Piyush Goyal

India has recorded around 15 per cent growth in exports in the first four months of the current financial year and is targeting USD 1 trillion in exports this year, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday, as he called for greater scale, competitiveness and global market access for Indian businesses. Speaking at Bharatiya Vyapar Mahotsav 2026 organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Goyal said India registe...

April 30, 2026 6:55 PM

India-New Zealand FTA opens global doors for Ayush systems, creates mobility pathways for wellness professionals

The newly concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to give a major global push to India’s traditional medicine systems, placing Ayush systems at the centre of a new framework for international cooperation and market access. The agreement, signed by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay, marks a significant step in expanding India’s wellness footprint globally while strengthening bilateral economic ties. A key h...

April 27, 2026 4:55 PM

India, New Zealand sign landmark FTA to boost trade, investment and mobility

India and New Zealand on Monday signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in New Delhi, aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties through expanded market access, enhanced services cooperation, and increased investment flows. The agreement was signed at Bharat Mandapam by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay. The pact, concluded in December 2025 after negotiations that began in March the same year, is among t...

April 27, 2026 8:44 AM

India, New Zealand set to sign key FTA to double trade, boost ties

India and New Zealand are set to sign a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday to significantly boost bilateral trade, investments and market access across sectors. The agreement will be signed at Bharat Mandapam in the presence of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his New Zealand counterpart, Todd McClay. The pact is aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $5 billion over the next five years and is expected to open new avenues for Indian exporters, particularly at a time when g...

March 9, 2026 8:53 PM

FTAs creating new opportunities for MSMEs to integrate into global supply chains: Jitin Prasada

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada on Monday said that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are opening new opportunities for India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to integrate into global supply chains and expand their presence in international markets. Addressing the National MSME Awards Ceremony organised by the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), Prasada said recent trade agreements with major markets, including the European Union as well as countries such ...

March 3, 2026 2:22 PM

PM Modi calls for manufacturing push, sustainability focus in post-Budget webinar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said this year’s Union Budget reinforces the government’s commitment to sustaining and strengthening economic growth, urging industry and stakeholders to seize emerging global opportunities. Addressing the second installment of the post-Budget webinar series on the theme “Sustaining and Strengthening Economic Growth,” the Prime Minister underlined that India’s direction and resolve are clear - “Build more, produce more, connect more, export mo...

February 5, 2026 10:42 PM

India, Gulf Cooperation Council sign terms of reference for Free Trade Agreement

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Thursday signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for negotiations on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant step towards deepening economic ties between the two sides. The ToR was signed at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, by Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary and Chief Negotiator at the Department of Commerce, and Dr. Raja Al Marzouqi, Chief Negotiator of the GCC Secretariat General. The signing took place in the presence of Union Comm...