Nine FTAs to boost exports, livelihoods in West Bengal: Piyush Goyal
New Delhi, August 2
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said West Bengal stands to benefit significantly from the nine Free Trade Agreements, saying the trade pacts would expand opportunities for key sectors in the state and support livelihoods.
In a post on X, Goyal said, "West Bengal stands to gain significantly from the 9 landmark Free Trade Agreements concluded under PM Narendra Modi ji."
He said the agreements would provide "enhanced market access" for tea growers, fisherfolk, artisans engaged in traditional handicrafts, as well as the state's youth and women.
According to the minister, the FTAs will "drive higher production, boost exports, and generate sustainable livelihoods, furthering the vision of Viksit Bharat."
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India has concluded nine Free Trade Agreements over the past three to three-and-a-half years, covering 38 developed economies as part of its strategy to expand export opportunities and deepen global trade engagement. The government has said these agreements are aimed at expanding market access, facilitating trade, enabling the movement of talent and attracting investments into the country.
The Commerce Ministry has also said the recently concluded agreements complement India's growth strategy by improving access to overseas markets while strengthening the country's position in global value chains.
The Centre has consistently maintained that its FTA strategy is intended to boost exports, attract investment, support manufacturing and create employment opportunities across sectors while strengthening India's integration with the global economy.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Every time we hear about FTAs, the promise is jobs and exports. But what about the farmer in Murshidabad or the weaver in Nadia? Unless there's proper infrastructure, cold chains, and logistics, these agreements remain on paper. Need more concrete action on ground.
As someone from Kolkata, I'm cautiously optimistic. The Darjeeling tea industry and our fishing communities along the coast definitely need better market access. But we've seen promises before—hope this Viksit Bharat vision translates into real income for our people. 🙏
FTAs are good, but we need to ensure our small businesses aren't flooded by cheap imports in return. The previous agreements have sometimes hurt local industries. Let's hope the government has truly negotiated in favour of our farmers and artisans from Bengal. #MakeInIndia
Interesting to see how these 9 FTAs covering 38 economies could actually benefit a cultural and economic hub like West Bengal. The state has so much to offer beyond tea—jute, silk, and traditional crafts. As a foreign investor, the improved market access makes Bengal more attractive. 🇮🇳
The devil is in the details. Which specific countries, what tariff reductions, and how will Bengal's MSMEs be supported to meet international quality standards? These are the questions that need answers before we celebrate. Blind optimism has never helped our trade sector.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.