Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal visited Switzerland to enhance the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) and boost trade ties between India and Switzerland. TEPA is a crucial part of India’s trade strategy, being its first agreement with EFTA economies and with a European economic bloc.
During the visit, discussions focused on translating TEPA’s market-access outcomes into tangible business partnerships, investment commitments, and increased industry utilization. Agarwal met with Helene Budliger Artieda, State Secretary of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), to review progress and explore ways to expand trade, strengthen regulatory cooperation, and address barriers to trade.
Emphasizing the need to resolve implementation-related issues promptly, the Commerce Secretary highlighted the importance of enabling enterprises on both sides to fully leverage the Agreement. Agarwal also participated in the 55th St. Gallen Symposium, where Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, in a video message, highlighted India’s efforts in concluding Free Trade Agreements with several developed countries under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Goyal stressed that these agreements aim to enhance quality, competitiveness, and market access for Indian enterprises in global markets. He noted the positive impact of TEPA within 200 days of implementation, with new Indian products entering the Swiss market, increased services trade, and strengthened investment interest. The Minister also underscored the potential for deeper integration of Make in India products into European value chains through TEPA.
