India, UAE to start talks for trade pact on Thursday: Goyal

Dubai - The UAE is also India’s second-largest export destination after the US, with exports valued at about $29 billion in 2019-20.

India and the UAE have formally launched negotiations for a free trade agreement and the first round of talks will begin from Thursday with an aim to conclude it by end-December, a move aimed at boosting trade and investments between the countries, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday.

The two countries also look to sign a formal agreement, officially dubbed as Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in March 2022 after the completion of internal legal procedures and ratification.

Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry and Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Trade formally launched negotiations on the India-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

"Looking to build on the progress made by both countries under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2017; both Ministers expressed a desire to reach a mutually beneficial economic deal. Both sides will aim to conclude negotiations by December 2021 and sign a formal agreement in March 2022 after the completion of internal legal procedures and ratification," said a joint statement.

Al Zeyoudi is here with a high-level delegation to hold talks on improving bilateral economic relations, including expanding the existing trade and investment relationship.

"The UAE is moving quickly to establish new strategic agreements to expand our market access and use trade as a key pillar in a new era of economic cooperation," Dr. Al Zeyoudi said.

"Trading routes have existed between India and our region for centuries. The CEPA builds on these historic ties by laying the foundation for a mutually beneficial partnership that creates new jobs, promotes foreign direct investment, empowers entrepreneurs, attracts talent and accelerates our knowledge-driven economies. It will strengthen our position as a global gateway to Africa, Asia and Europe, driving economic growth and prosperity across the region," he added.

Dr. Ahmed AlBanna, UAE Ambassador to India, added: "The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between our two countries comes at a very crucial time as we brace ourselves and set economic priorities for the post-pandemic era. Now is the time for the UAE and India to work together and take coordinated actions to achieve our ambitious bilateral trade target of $100 billion. Besides trade, we are keen to augment investment flows and lead the world by example."

"It is matter of great satisfaction that today we have launched the negotiation for a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement...The first round of CEPA negotiation will be held tomorrow and day after in Delhi. Both sides have drawn up a very aggressive and ambitious timeframe and aim to conclude the negotiation by December 2021 itself. And we hope to sign the formal agreement in the early part of 2022 after the completion of internal legal procedures and necessary ratification process," Goyal said at a media briefing along with the visiting minister.

He said that CEPA will enhance bilateral trade and investment flows and it will assist in our post-Covid economic recovery and future economic growth.

The joint statement said both the ministers emphasised that CEPA will create new jobs, raise living standards, and provide wider social and economic opportunities in both nations.

business@khaleejtimes.com