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What does Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) brings to India?

12 Mar 2024 Zinkpot 286
  1. India and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on 10th March 2024. EFTA countries comprises of Switzerland, Iceland, Norway & Liechtenstein.
  2. EFTA is an inter-governmental organization set up in 1960 for the promotion of free trade and economic integration for the benefit of its four Member States.
  3. Under the TEPA, binding commitment of $100 bn investment  and 1 million direct jobs in India in the next 15 years has been given. The agreement will give a boost to Make in India and provide opportunities to young & talented workforce. The FTA will provide a window to Indian exporters to access large European and global markets. The investments do not cover foreign portfolio investment.
  4. TEPA has provisions for Mutual Recognition Agreements in Professional Services like nursing, chartered accountants, architects etc.
    Commitments related to Intellectual Property Rights in TEPA are at TRIPS level. 
  5. One of the major benefits of this trade pact is the phased-out custom duties on imported goods, which will enable domestic consumers to access high-quality Swiss products such as watches, chocolates, biscuits, and clocks at lower prices.
  6. The agreement includes tariff concessions on a range of products imported from Switzerland, including seafood, mediterranean fruits, coffee, oils, sweets, processed foods, and wine, among others. This will lead to a drop in prices of these products in Indian markets, making them more affordable and accessible to Indian consumers.
  7. After a hiatus of nearly 16 years, the EFTA members have finally reached this agreement, marking a milestone in their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) history. Negotiations, which began in 2008 but were halted in November 2013, resumed in October 2016. Over 21 rounds of negotiations, the parties worked towards their conclusion, culminating in this significant agreement.
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