Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal chairs India-Chile Business Roundtable to unlock strategic ties across critical sectors
New Delhi, May 13
In a significant move to bolster trans-continental economic ties, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal convened a high-level India-Chile Business Roundtable. The session, held in the presence of Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna and Paula Estevez, Vice-Minister of International Economic Relations, Chile, served as a strategic platform to explore untapped synergies between the two burgeoning economies.
Building on this diplomatic momentum, Minister Goyal took to X (formerly Twitter) to share highlights of the engagement, outlining the specific sectors poised for growth. He stated, "Chaired the India-Chile Business Roundtable alongside H.E. Mr. Francisco Perez Mackenna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Ms. Paula Estevez, Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, and other distinguished business leaders from both nations. The discussions focused on the immense potential of the India-Chile partnership across critical minerals, food processing, healthcare, clean energy, technology transfer, and several emerging sectors. We explored numerous exciting prospects for collaboration under the India-Chile CEPA, which is poised to deepen our bilateral ties and unlock new growth opportunities across sectors for our businesses and people."
This high-level delegation from Chile, led by Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna, is on a targeted visit to India from May 9 to 15, specifically designed to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation.
During these engagements, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry noted that both sides reaffirmed a shared commitment to expanding trade and investment, noting steady growth in bilateral relations. These interactions highlighted strong complementarities between the two nations, emphasising the necessity of resilient supply chains and sustainable development.
A primary focus of the ongoing visit remains the negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both nations acknowledged the importance of this agreement in unlocking the full potential of their economic relationship, expressing a firm commitment to work towards its early conclusion.
Beyond the ministerial talks, the Commerce Secretary held separate discussions with Vice-Minister Paula Estevez to address trade facilitation, market access, and the strengthening of institutional economic engagement.
The India-Chile Business Roundtable in New Delhi further operationalised these diplomatic goals by bringing together leading business representatives and industry stakeholders.
The session served as a vital platform for exploring new avenues in infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, digital services, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. This visit has effectively reinforced the momentum in bilateral ties, underscoring mutual trust and a shared vision for building a future-oriented economic partnership.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Chile is rich in copper and lithium, which are essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy. If we can secure a steady supply through this partnership, it'll be a game-changer for our manufacturing sector. But we need to ensure it's a two-way street, not just resource extraction.
About time we looked beyond traditional partners. South America has huge potential for Indian businesses, especially in food processing and logistics. Chile's wine and fruit exports could complement our agri sector nicely. Good to see both governments pushing the CEPA forward.
I appreciate the focus on healthcare and clean energy. With Chile's expertise in renewable energy and India's strength in digital health, there's real synergy here. But I hope the government pays equal attention to small businesses, not just big corporates. SMEs often get left out in these high-level talks.
India-Chile ties have been underutilised for too long. Chile is one of the most stable economies in South America, and our cultural connections go back centuries. If we can finalise the CEPA quickly, it will give Indian exporters a big advantage over Chinese competitors who are also eyeing the region.
As someone who works in the pharmaceutical sector, this is encouraging. Chile's regulatory environment is aligned with global standards, and there's a growing demand for affordable generic medicines. Combined with technology transfer, this partnership could also boost India's drug manufacturing capabilities. Win-win.
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