Union Minister Piyush Goyal
AGRA: The free trade agreement with New Zealand, scheduled to be signed on Monday, will provide huge opportunities for local companies, including leather exporters from the city of Taj Mahal, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday. Goyal arrived here accompanied by New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd Maclay. The ministers held discussions with companies from various sectors, including leather and sports goods. The FTA aims to double bilateral trade and facilitate duty-free access to the island nation’s markets for Indian companies, as well as bring in $20 billion in investments over the next 15 years. “Goods exported from India to New Zealand will go without any taxes, creating huge opportunities, including in the leather industry in Agra and other sectors,” Goyal said, adding that the agreement will also help boost bilateral trade, which has reached about $2.4 billion. Goyal will hold a meeting with representatives of export promotion councils and industry associations on Monday to discuss ways to boost outbound shipments, an official said. The meeting will be held after India and New Zealand sign the free trade agreement. Agencies