Free trade agreement to facilitate duty-free exports to UAE kicks off

The India-UAE CEPA will benefit almost 90 per cent of India's exports in terms of value

A free trade agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that was signed on February 18 came into force from May 1, with the completion of all constitutional and legal processes surrounding the pact.

Commerce Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam on Sunday flagged off the first consignment of goods comprising jewellery products to the UAE under the trade pact, termed as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in New Delhi. The consignment, which will now attract zero Customs duty under the trade agreement, is expected to reach Dubai on May 1.

Gems and jewellery sector contributes a substantial portion of India’s exports