IANS | 10 Jul, 2023
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit the UK from July
10-11, to further the free trade agreement (FTA) talks between the two
nations.
Goyal will also be meeting with ministers from the
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member countries, to discuss the
progress of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with
EFTA.
With the FTA negotiations gaining momentum, the visit aims
to further propel the discussions and pave the way for a comprehensive
and mutually beneficial agreement that would drive economic growth and
strengthen ties between the two nations, official sources said.
The
visit comes at a crucial juncture, as both India and the UK are
committed to expanding their economic ties and exploring avenues for
enhanced bilateral trade.
Goyal will also hold high-level
meetings with his UK counterparts, including the secretary of state for
international trade, as well as representatives from various sectors and
industries.
These meetings will provide an opportunity to
discuss the key priorities and objectives of the FTA negotiations, with a
focus on addressing trade barriers, promoting investments, and
fostering greater cooperation in areas such as technology, innovation,
and intellectual property rights.
Further, he will also meet with
ministers and officials from the EFTA member countries, (Switzerland,
Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), to assess the progress made in the
ongoing negotiations of the TEPA with EFTA.
The TEPA aims to
enhance trade and economic cooperation between India and the EFTA member
countries, fostering an environment conducive to increased investments,
reduced trade barriers, and greater market access.