Ministry of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal on Monday said that India wants equal, fair and reciprocal trade with the world.

Inaugurated first edition of five day long virtual FMCG Supply Chain EXPO,2020, the minister added that India is moving towards balanced trade with many countries and regions.

This is one the reasons why India chose not to join RCEP as it was completely unequitable arrangement Countries should, in a phased manner, look at sourcing from India, developing their products in India & then encash the large business opportunity that 1.3 billion Indian people offer, he pointed out.

He said that those investing in India, should not just look at assembling the Semi-knocked down kits or availing import duty concessions, but must bring technologies, best practices and do value-addition.

Refuting the criticism by some for supporting the domestic industry and checking the imports, Goyal said that we want to protect our industries so that they can get a fair play and access.

Goyal said that the Government will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with industries in their efforts to become more competitive & engage with the world on equal and fair terms.

He added that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in the last 6 years, has focused his efforts largely to a better quality of life for the marginalised sections of the society.

Building 11 crore toilets & taking broadband to remotest corner of the country and taking other welfare reform measures have collectively been game-changers and completely transformed national landscape and prepared India to fight the worst of its kind pandemic, the world has ever seen.

India has been helped in fighting the pandemic due to the massive effort that the nation carried out under PM’s inspirational leadership, with strong inputs from industry associations. It is the first time nation has been able to keep people in their homes in the world's strictest lockdown and provide for food & other basic necessities to every citizen across the length and breadth of the country.

Railways and Food & Distribution Department worked collectively in overdrive throughout the lockdown to ensure people got food, fertiliser, milk & other necessities.

Goyal added that this initiative by FICCI India is being carried out on an indigenously built platform, in the true spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

He Further added that the changes brought by the pandemic will bring in a lot of positive elements which help us take development to the remotest corners of India & involve people from across the country as we adopt technology and become a trusted part of global supply chains.

Goyal invited Indian industry to walk together, support each other and work towards a prosperous India in the long run and better future for the generations to come.