India and New Zealand have signed a landmark India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (IN–NZ FTA) on 27 April 2026 in New Delhi. The FTA aims to boost exports, MSMEs, investment flows, skills mobility and broader economic cooperation.
Defining features of the FTA are:
- Immediate zero-duty access for
100% of Indian exports to New Zealand, subject to Product-Specific Rules
of Origin, benefiting key sectors such as textiles, engineering goods,
pharmaceuticals, marine products and chemicals, among others.
- India has adopted a calibrated
approach to imports, liberalizing around 70% of tariff lines while fully
protecting sensitive sectors including dairy, select agricultural
products, edible oils and certain metals and jewellery.
- The Agreement extends beyond
goods to services, mobility and investment, including visa pathways for
Indian professionals and students, and New Zealand’s commitment to
facilitate up to US$20 billion in investment into India over 15 years.
- It also improves customs
procedures, regulatory cooperation, protection of Indian Geographical
Indications laws and introduces modern disciplines covering digital trade,
MSMEs and dispute settlement.
No comments:
Post a Comment