The talks mark the beginning of a new era of strategic cooperation between the two countries, which it is hoped will broaden economic and investment opportunities and push bilateral trade beyond US$100 billion in five years, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
The United Arab Emirates and India commenced their discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, meeting Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s Minister of Finance.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi had also met Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, to outline how the two nations can accelerate bilateral trade, investment and economic opportunity.
The UAE delegation arrived in India on 21st September for a four-day visit to the Indian capital New Delhi, as the two sides seek ways to strengthen their economic ties through a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The talks mark the beginning of a new era of strategic cooperation between the two countries, which it is hoped will broaden economic and investment opportunities and push bilateral trade beyond US$100 billion in five years.
In the discussions with Goyal, Dr. Al Zeyoudi restated the UAE’s belief that expanding trade expands opportunity, stability and prosperity, and that closer ties between the UAE and India’s economies can offer fresh impetus to the global recovery.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi also reiterated the UAE’s recent “Projects of the 50” initiative, which seeks to further enhance the country’s advantageous regulatory environment, attract global talent and accelerate the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies into manufacturing, healthcare, smart services logistics and renewable energy – all of which provide areas of collaboration, investment and mutual benefit that can be unlocked through the CEPA.
In a major meeting, Dr. Al Zeyoudi met with Sitharaman to explore how the CEPA can expand on the strength and depth of the economic and commercial engagement between the UAE and India.
ALSO READ: UAE Targets $100B Trade With India Within 5 Years
Of particular note was UAE’s growing fintech sector, which expected to increase by 20 percent per year over the next five years, and reach the market value of $305bln by 2025. The potential of India’s fintech sector is also promising, which is currently valued at US$31bn and expected to grow to US$84bn by 2025.
Speaking on his arrival in New Delhi, Dr. Al Zeyoudi said that the CEPA should be seen as a natural extension of the long-standing relationship between the two countries. “The CEPA builds on our historic ties by laying the foundation for a mutually beneficial partnership that creates new jobs, promotes foreign direct investment, empowers entrepreneurs, attracts talent and accelerates our knowledge-driven economies – and it will drive economic growth and prosperity across the region,” he added.
He also held productive talks with Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, where the potential for deepening ties in investment, technology and aviation were discussed.
In talks with Scindia, Dr. Al Zeyoudi outlined the importance of the sector to both India and the UAE and highlighted the potential for greater connectivity between the two nations, which can have a multiplier effect for trade and tourism. The pair discussed the potential for increasing seat capacity for UAE carriers flying from India during the forthcoming Expo, as well as expanding the number of airports offering direct services to the UAE.
The possibilities of how the CEPA can create new opportunities in the ICT and telecommunications industries were discussed in the meeting with Vaishnaw. The talks brought forward the possibilities of knowledge transfer, 5G capabilities and greater foreign direct investment.
15 Indian states, UTs to be at EXPO
Fifteen Indian states and union territories have confirmed their participation at the India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, according to authorities in charge of the Pavilion at Expo.
These states and union territories will take part in the world exposition along with their delegations for planned business-to-government and government-to-government meetings, according to the organizers of the events at the Pavilion.
“These states will exhibit their culture, food and business opportunities at the India Pavilion,” a press release stated. In addition, nine ministries and departments of the Indian federal government will take part in Expo 2020 Dubai via the India Pavilion. Business houses which form the vanguard of Indian industry, several Indian-owned enterprises in the UAE and global conglomerates with large operations in India will also actively participate in the activities at the India Pavilion through their presence.
