The agreement between India
and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – which has also
has Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein as members – is a “significant milestone”
in Swiss trade policy, the government said. Under the agreement, India will lift import tariffs on industrial
products from the four countries in return for investment of $100 billion over
15 years.
The deal, which was signed in March, requires
parliamentary approval before becoming effective. The Swiss parliament is
expected to debate the treaty in the upcoming spring and winter sessions, the
government said.
The treaty, which has followed 16 years of
negotiation, will reduce tariffs on nearly 95 per cent of Swiss products that
are exported to India. “India is now the
world’s most populous country. In particular, the growing middle class means
that there is significant potential for growth,” the government said.
“When the agreement comes into force… This will
strengthen the competitiveness of Swiss exports in India,” it added. Although
the Indian market is potentially huge, Swiss exports to the country are
currently tiny – making up only 0.7 per cent of Swiss sales abroad in 2023, according
to information from the Federal Customs Office.