Free trade agreements: India sets plan to increase FTA use for exports, says Piyush Goyal

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the commerce ministry is drawing detailed steps to raise Indian industry’s use of free trade agreements. The plan includes 500 overseas delegations, training 1,000 professionals, and outreach to 1,600 industry chambers. Goyal urged firms to use FTAs more, as global conditions remain difficult and exports need support.

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Speaking at the CII annual business summit, Goyal linked higher FTA use with stronger exports and fresh investment interest. Goyal also set out a broad aim for USD 2 trillion exports of goods and services. The timeline shared was the next 5-6 years, with the government working closely with industry.

Free trade agreements plan and FTA utilisation drive

Goyal said the ministry is mapping outreach in a detailed way. "We are planning to take 500 delegations in the next 8-9 months to all parts of the world, particularly FTA countries. We have collected a database of 1,600 chambers in India. We are going to talk to each one of them. Our representatives will interact with them and encourage to export new products, capture new markets. So we are making very granular plans,\" Goyal said.

Goyal also explained how the ministry wants to turn difficult global trends into gains for India. \"We are making very granular plans on how we can leverage all these FTAs and convert the global crisis into a golden opportunity,\" Goyal said. Goyal asked industry to increase use of these pacts, so exporters can tap wider demand.

Free trade agreements list since 2021 and key partners

Goyal said India has closed several trade deals since 2021. The list included Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, Oman, New Zealand, the EFTA bloc, the UK and the EU. Goyal presented these agreements as key routes for firms to reach large overseas markets with lower barriers.

Goyal compared India’s strengths with higher income economies. Goyal said Switzerland, the United States and European Union countries have higher per capita incomes. Goyal said these economies cannot make goods at costs lower than India. Goyal added that they have strong technology and industry, while India has cost advantage and talent.

Free trade agreements and export target of USD 2 trillion

On the USD 2 trillion export target, Goyal said progress depends on sustained growth. Goyal said the goal is possible with about 15 per cent export growth each year. Goyal said automobiles, steel and startups can contribute through innovation, competitiveness, and a wider global footprint in key markets.

Free trade agreements outreach in districts and FTA awareness

Goyal answered a question from Sanjay Budhia on reaching entrepreneurs in remote areas. Budhia is Chair, CII National Committee on Exports, and MD, Patton International. Goyal said 1,000 people will be trained and placed across districts. Their role will be to explain FTA terms and help firms use benefits.

\"The professionals will be trained to disseminate information on FTAs and their benefits. We will help them to create connections leveraging technology, ways to leverage FTAs, encourage new products, bring in new exporters and capture new markets,\" Goyal said. Goyal said this network is meant to support first-time exporters too.

Free trade agreements and e-commerce firms going global

Goyal said some e-commerce firms need to expand outside India. Goyal said there is an urgent need for this move. \"We are looking at financing warehouses across the world so that people can stock their goods and ship on demand,\" Goyal said. The approach aims to make overseas delivery faster and more predictable.

Goyal’s remarks outlined a package of steps to increase FTA use, expand exports, and support firms across districts. The ministry’s plan covers foreign delegations, chamber outreach, and trained staff to explain agreements. Goyal also pointed to logistics support for e-commerce and steady export growth as parts of the wider export push.

With inputs from PTI