The Indian team from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is currently in Auckland for the fourth round of negotiations towards finalising the proposed free trade agreement with New Zealand, the ministry announced on Monday.
“Negotiations in this round are focusing on key areas, including trade in goods, trade in services, and rules of origin,” a statement from the ministry said.
“Both sides are working constructively to build on the progress achieved in earlier rounds, to reach convergence on outstanding issues and move towards the early conclusion of the FTA,” it added.
Also Read: We need to reduce reliance on ‘certain geographies’: Goyal
Rules of origin, which determine the source of any product, are emerging as a key bone of contention in India’s proposed FTA with not only New Zealand, but also with the European Union.
India’s FTA dialogue with New Zealand was first launched on March 16 by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay.
Follow us
