India-EU FTA to unlock new opportunities for trade, MSMEs and emerging technologies: Piyush Goyal
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India and the European Union (EU) stepped up efforts to deepen their strategic economic partnership as Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a series of high-level meetings in Finland and Belgium, focusing on the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), investments and collaboration in emerging technologies.
During his visit, Goyal met Finland's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Riikka Purra, Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto, and members of the Indian business community in Brussels, asserting that the proposed trade pact would create fresh opportunities for businesses, MSMEs and investors while strengthening cooperation in next-generation sectors.
Finland talks focus on investments, AI, semiconductors and digital economy
In Helsinki, Goyal held separate meetings with Finnish ministers to explore ways to expand bilateral economic engagement and leverage the proposed India-EU FTA to boost trade and investment.
"Pleased to meet Finland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ms. Riikka Purra. We discussed strengthening economic and financial cooperation, enhancing trade and investment ties, and expanding collaboration in digitalisation and emerging sectors," Goyal said in a post on X.
He added that both sides "also explored opportunities to further deepen India-Finland engagement under the India-EU FTA."
In another meeting, the minister held what he described as "productive discussions" with Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.
"Had productive discussions with Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr. Sakari Puisto. We discussed ways to deepen India-Finland cooperation in investments, innovation, R&D, startups and business partnerships," Goyal said.
"We also explored collaboration across AI, 6G, quantum technologies, semiconductors, space and sustainability, while discussing how the India-EU FTA can further strengthen trade and investment between our countries," he added.
Indian industry backs trade pact as negotiations gather pace
Ahead of the ministerial engagements, Goyal interacted with a high-level Indian business delegation in Brussels comprising representatives of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and other regional industry bodies.
"Interacted with the Indian business delegation comprising @FICCI_India, @FollowCII, @ASSOCHAM4India, and other regional associations in Brussels. We discussed how the India-EU FTA can open real doors for Indian industry and deliver tangible outcomes for our businesses, our MSMEs, and our people," Goyal said.
The interaction followed the third India-EU Business Roundtable attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Goyal and Minister of State Jitin Prasada, where discussions centred on expanding collaboration in trade, investment, innovation and technology.
India-EU partnership expands beyond trade
The meetings come as India and the EU intensify negotiations on a comprehensive FTA aimed at boosting bilateral trade, investments and technology partnerships.
Alongside the trade discussions, Jaishankar met European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva to explore cooperation in clean energy technologies, innovation ecosystems, startups and Horizon Europe. He also held talks with European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela on connectivity initiatives, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), trilateral partnerships and green shipping, underscoring the widening strategic scope of India-EU economic engagement beyond conventional trade.