FTA

India, Switzerland to set up special group to review trade pact progress

The group will examine constraints hindering trade and investment flows under TEPA as India seeks greater market access for its agricultural and marine exports

Updated On: 05 Oct 2026 | 9:39 PM IST

MSME body calls for handholding, support as India signs more FTAs

Laghu Udyog Bharati says smaller firms need marketing, technology and export support to tap new markets and benefit from India's expanding network of free trade agreements

Updated On: 30 Sep 2026 | 7:12 PM IST

DGFT urges industry to turn FTAs, export schemes into actual exports

Lav Agarwal urged industry associations to mentor exporters, use district export plans and work with government to convert market access into shipments

Updated On: 29 Sep 2026 | 11:12 PM IST

No major change in imports, exports after India-EU FTA: Schaeffler India MD

Schaeffler India MD and CEO Harsha Kadam says the pact will offer similar tariff benefits to European companies, limiting any major competitive advantage for the firm.

Updated On: 15 Sep 2026 | 10:50 PM IST

Tiruppur: How a small cluster turned into a textile export powerhouse

From ₹429 crore in 1991, exports from India's knitwear capital have grown to ₹46,000 crore with markets spanning 50-plus countries

Updated On: 14 Sep 2026 | 11:54 PM IST

PM Modi to visit Brussels in Dec to attend FTA signing: EU Counsellor

After concluding the negotiations for the trade deal in January, India and the EU last month also completed the legal scrubbing of the agreement's text

Updated On: 03 Sep 2026 | 8:07 PM IST

Govt urges industry to use FTAs, focus on value addition and export markets

The government on Thursday nudged the industry to utilise free trade agreements (FTAs), focus on value addition, build resilient supply chains, and actively diversify export markets to boost manufacturing and strengthen the country's position in global trade. All trade agreements which India has signed "is a door, but doors, however magnificently crafted, do not open themselves. It is the industry that must walk through them," said Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Yashvir Singh. He said the industry should use FTAs to expand market access, attract investment and technology, diversify supply chains, and build manufacturing ecosystems that can withstand global shocks. The ambition is not merely to participate in global manufacturing but to make India a reliable, competitive, and trusted partner in global value chains, he said said at a manufacturing conclave. "I place before this audience five imperatives, not suggestions, but strategic obligations. First, invest in

Updated On: 20 Aug 2026 | 10:02 PM IST

PM's FTA push to boost MSMEs' global reach, competitiveness: Exporters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to MSMEs to fully leverage India's growing network of free trade agreements (FTAs) is timely, as these pacts offer small businesses an opportunity to access larger global markets, integrate with global value chains and improve their competitiveness, exporters say. They also said that with preferential market access now available across several major economies, the real opportunity lies in converting these agreements into export orders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, said India has finalised FTAs with about 40 countries since 2014, presenting a tremendous opportunity for the country's MSMEs, and urged small enterprises to tap these opportunities and not let the chance slip away. Addressing the country on the 80th Independence Day, he said there is a need to expand the global reach of Indian products and ensure that goods such as textiles, machinery and medicines find their way into international markets. Welcoming the government's move

Updated On: 16 Aug 2026 | 1:47 PM IST

Private sector drives ₹26.75 trillion investment proposals in FY27

Domestic private companies accounted for 86 per cent of investment announcements between April 1 and August 5, while ITES led with Rs 14.98 trillion in proposed capex

Updated On: 07 Aug 2026 | 4:50 PM IST

Adoption of IP protection, FTA utilisation crucial for exporters: Report

Indian exporters seeking sustained growth need to adopt an integrated strategy that combines intellectual property (IP) protection, effective utilisation of free trade agreements, customs documentation, regulatory compliance, and supply chain controls, according to a report. As Indian companies expand into overseas markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, IP is no longer only a legal concern; it is increasingly a business asset that influences market access, valuation, partnerships, and long-term competitiveness. For exporters, the most valuable assets should not be limited to factories or inventories alone, said the joint report by Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) and RNA Technology and IP Attorneys. "For Indian exporters, international growth requires an integrated operating discipline in which IP protection, FTA utilisation, customs documentation, regulatory compliance, supply-chain controls, and contractual safeguar

Updated On: 06 Aug 2026 | 2:40 PM IST

Goods exports rise 15%, FTAs to give further boost, says Piyush Goyal

Commerce minister says export momentum is expected to continue as FTAs take effect, while India remains engaged with the US on the proposed trade pact

Updated On: 29 Jul 2026 | 10:44 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: State reforms key to improve India's investment climate

From state-level investment reforms and food safety enforcement to next-generation FTAs, corporate living wills and a Tibetan memoir, here are today's top BS Opinion pieces

Updated On: 23 Jul 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

Gains from the UK FTA: The glass is half-full, the glass is half-empty

What matters is whether trade agreements make India a more open economy

Updated On: 19 Jul 2026 | 10:08 PM IST

India flags off consignments worth $140 million to UK on Day 1 of FTA

India has operationalised its trade pact with the UK, enabling preferential tariffs from day one and flagging off $140 million worth of exports under the new regime

Updated On: 15 Jul 2026 | 10:08 PM IST

India-UK FTA explained: What it means for jobs, exports & you

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement is now in force, opening new opportunities for Indian exporters, businesses and professionals.

Updated On: 14 Jul 2026 | 8:09 PM IST
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India must strengthen certification to take full advantage of UK FTA: GTRI

The India-UK free trade agreement opens market access but does not automatically translate into higher exports, and the country must strengthen standards, certification, logistics and buyer linkages to realise its full benefits, economic think tank GTRI said on Saturday. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into force from July 15. "Without parallel work on standards, certification, logistics, regulatory approvals and buyer networks, much of the opportunity will remain on paper. The agreement opens the door; India must now convert access into exports," the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. Citing example, GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said while food exporters need better testing, traceability and compliance with UK sanitary and phytosanitary rules;machinery and electronics firms need certification, technology and stronger buyer links. Similarly automobile exporters must meet rules-of-origin and technical requirements; and the garment,

Updated On: 11 Jul 2026 | 3:39 PM IST

Montek Singh Ahluwalia urges states to ease retrenchment ceiling

Former Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia urged states to liberalise retrenchment norms and cut duties on industrial inputs to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness

Updated On: 09 Jul 2026 | 10:54 PM IST

Goyal, Jaishankar and Vaishnaw to visit Brussels for TTC talks with EU

Piyush Goyal says the Trade and Technology Council dialogue will complement the recently concluded India-EU free trade agreement, while India aims to conclude the Canada FTA within six months

Updated On: 05 Jul 2026 | 10:41 PM IST

India-Peru FTA unlikely soon; Canada pact may close in 6 months: Goyal

India exported goods worth $1.4 billion to Peru during the last financial year, while imports stood at $8.87 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $7.47 billion

Updated On: 04 Jul 2026 | 5:43 PM IST

India-EU FTA legal scrub to end in 10-12 days; pact likely by Dec 31: Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says the India-EU free trade agreement is on track for signing by December-end, while reiterating India's demand for a competitive edge in the interim US trade deal

Updated On: 02 Jul 2026 | 5:33 PM IST