Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has reaffirmed India’s resolute commitment to forging a fair, equitable, and balanced Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, signaling a new era of robust economic diplomacy. During the India-Italy Business Forum plenary session in Mumbai, alongside Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, Goyal declared that no effort will be spared to realize this ambitious goal, underscoring the forum’s pivotal role in elevating bilateral relations.
This pledge not only strengthens India’s strategic outreach to Europe but also positions the nation as a proactive player in global trade architecture.At the core of Goyal’s address lies a comprehensive blueprint for deepening economic and industrial ties with Italy, aimed at expanding trade volumes, attracting investments, and fostering innovative business collaborations. He highlighted how this partnership will unlock untapped opportunities, propelling shared development objectives for both countries and exemplifying the power of mutual synergy in a interconnected world economy.
Indian businesses, in particular, showed eagerness to collaborate across high-potential sectors including research and development, technology, innovation, sports, defence, space, textiles, agriculture, and food processing, paving the way for diversified growth engines.
A standout highlight was Goyal’s enthusiasm for the collaboration between Italian luxury brand Prada and India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers, which he hailed as a beacon of opportunity for local artisans and craftsmen. By setting a bold target to scale Kolhapuri chappal exports to one billion dollars in the near future, Goyal illustrated the transformative potential of blending heritage craftsmanship with global branding, boosting India’s export prowess and cultural soft power. These initiatives collectively herald a brighter, more inclusive future for India-EU and India-Italy economic engagements.
