The All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and World Trade Center Mumbai have welcomed the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement as a significant development that is set to strengthen bilateral economic relations and unlock new opportunities in trade, investment, and workforce mobility.
The agreement is expected to enhance India’s export competitiveness by providing duty-free access across all tariff lines, particularly benefiting labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, engineering goods, and agriculture. It also includes a long-term investment commitment of USD 20 billion, which is anticipated to support manufacturing, infrastructure, and services while generating employment and reinforcing India’s role in global value chains.
Dr. Vijay Kalantri, President of AIAI and Chairman of World Trade Center Mumbai, highlighted the importance of the agreement.
“This agreement marks a transformative milestone in India’s global trade journey, offering duty-free access to 100% of Indian exports and significantly enhancing the competitiveness of labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, engineering goods, and agriculture, while the USD 20 billion investment commitment over the next 15 years is expected to boost manufacturing, infrastructure, and services, generate employment, and strengthen India’s position in global value chains.”
He further added:
“A particularly encouraging aspect of this agreement is the inclusion of health and traditional medicine services, which opens meaningful avenues for collaboration, while the enhanced mobility provisions, Ranging from student exchanges to post-study work opportunities and dedicated visa pathways, including a quota for 5,000 professionals and 1,000 Work and Holiday visas, this agreement will enable our students and skilled professionals to gain global exposure and foster stronger people-to-people connections.”
Dr. Kalantri emphasized:
“Importantly, India has safeguarded its core interests in sensitive sectors such as dairy and agriculture, while labour-intensive industries like textiles and leather are expected to gain significantly from improved market access, and this landmark agreement will accelerate trade expansion, strengthen people-to-people ties, and serve as a strong catalyst for economic growth in both India and New Zealand.”
AIAI and World Trade Center Mumbai expressed confidence that the agreement will usher in a new phase of economic cooperation, fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and deeper bilateral ties between India and New Zealand.
