More Stories

Informist, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal paid an official visit to Liechtenstein to expedite and review the implementation of India's Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement--a free trade agreement--with the European Free Trade Association to translate it into sustained trade, investment, and manufacturing partnerships. "The Minister encouraged greater participation of EFTA (European Free Trade Association) companies in key trade and investment events in India and invited closer collaboration through business dialogues and delegations," the commerce ministry said. 

 

During the meeting held Thursday, both sides exchanged views on the global business environment, the ministry said. With supply chains facing disruptions, uncertainties, and sharper volatility, India and Liechtenstein can combine strengths to offer stability and predictability to investors and enterprises. India's scale, talent, and manufacturing depth can complement Liechtenstein's specialised industrial capabilities, high-value innovation, and financial expertise, it said. "Together, these can create resilient value chains and a reliable investment bridge, sending a signal of confidence and hope in an increasingly unsettled world."

 

The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement is India's first free trade agreement with a developed group of European Free Trade Association countries--comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland--and signals improving quality of Indian products, the expanding and diversified range of Indian exports, and a steady strengthening of India's manufacturing capabilities that support 'Make in India' and 'Make for the World', the commerce ministry said in a release. 

 

Goyal also encouraged stronger industry-to-industry partnerships, higher value addition, supplier linkages including micro, small, and medium enterprises, and an expanded role for India-based production in global operations. He invited Liechtenstein companies to use the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement as a platform to grow their India presence, build manufacturing and innovation partnerships, and participate in India's expanding opportunities across sectors.

 

"India looks forward to welcoming more Liechtenstein and EFTA enterprises to India, translating TEPA (Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement) into stronger investments, deeper technology partnerships, and a larger Indian footprint in global trade and investment flows," the ministry said. 

 

The trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association came into effect on Oct. 1. It comprises 14 chapters with the main focus on market access related to goods, rules of origin, trade facilitation, trade remedies, sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, investment promotion, market access to services, intellectual property rights, trade and sustainable development and other legal and horizontal provisions. Under the deal, the European free trade bloc has also committed an investment of $100 billion into India.

 

India had total trade of $24.42 billion with the region in 2024-25 (Apr-Mar), which included imports worth $22.45 billion.  End

 

US$1 = INR 85.77

 

Reported by Priyasmita Dutta

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

 

For users of real-time market data terminals, Informist news is available exclusively on the NSE Cogencis WorkStation.

 

Cogencis news is now Informist news. This follows the acquisition of Cogencis Information Services Ltd. by NSE Data & Analytics Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. As a part of the transaction, the news department of Cogencis has been sold to Informist Media Pvt. Ltd.

 

Informist Media Tel +91 (22) 6985-4000

Send comments to feedback@informistmedia.com

 

© Informist Media Pvt. Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.