Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the need for addressing imbalances from the Uruguay Round in WTO discussions. He emphasized the importance of all members having equal opportunities to enhance productivity, generate jobs, and engage effectively in global trade. Goyal expressed India’s commitment to constructive participation to maintain the WTO’s significance in international trade.
Attending the 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaounde, Cameroon, Goyal engaged with various global leaders on the sidelines. He discussed the WTOMC14 agenda, India-US BTA negotiations, and strategies to strengthen economic cooperation with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Additionally, Goyal met Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, to review progress on India-Canada CEPA negotiations and enhance bilateral trade ties.
In discussions with New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay, Goyal exchanged thoughts on the MC14 agenda progress and the India-New Zealand FTA signing process. They explored avenues to boost bilateral trade, investment, and collaboration in key sectors of mutual interest. Goyal also reaffirmed India’s historical partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco during talks with Secretary of State Omar Hejira, focusing on enhancing trade and investment cooperation.
Further, Goyal met with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs, Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, and Jamaica’s Senator and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.
