India : India is working on at least six free trade agreements (FTAs), including one with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that can create a gateway for Indian trade to the Middle East and Africa and New Delhi may set up a huge India Mart in Dubai to tap that market, commerce minister Piyush Goyal said.
India is negotiating trade deals with the UAE, the UK, the European Union (EU), Australia, Canada, Israel and a group of countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The deal with the UAE is expected soon, a government official said requesting anonymity.
The commerce minister on Monday said trade negotiations between India and the UAE were at an advanced stage and the two partners were expected to wrap up a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by January 2022. HT reported this development on December 14.
Along with an FTA with the UAE, India is “simultaneously in discussion” with other countries, Goyal said. “Australia in advanced stage; UK, will launch possibly next month.
TJP
