New Delhi: Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon on Wednesday said the country’s parliament has passed the “landmark” free trade agreement with India.
On April 27, India and New Zealand inked the trade pact, giving duty-free access to 100 per cent of India’s exports, including textiles, leather footwear, and gems and jewellery, to the island nation.
“People told me a Free Trade Agreement with India wasn’t possible. Well, today that deal passed its final vote in Parliament. It’s happening. National said we said we’d secure a Free Trade Agreement with India in our first term, and we’ve delivered. This landmark deal means more jobs, higher incomes for Kiwis. It means more New Zealand products being sold in India by opening the door to 1.4 billion Indian consumers. It’s one of the ways we will grow the economy to help you get ahead – fixing the basics and building the future,” Luxon said.
The bill was passed with the support of the ruling National Party and the main opposition Labour Party, securing a clear majority in Parliament.
India and New Zealand signed the FTA on April 27. India is now looking to bring the agreement into force “as soon as possible”, with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal saying last week that it could potentially become operational in October.
Under the agreement, New Zealand will provide duty-free access for 100 per cent of Indian exports to its market, covering all tariff lines. The pact is also aimed at improving competitiveness and employment opportunities in India’s labour-intensive sectors, including textiles and apparel, leather and footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods and processed foods.
The agreement includes a USD 20 billion investment commitment by New Zealand in India over 15 years, aimed at strengthening long-term economic cooperation between the two countries.
For New Zealand exports to India, 70.03 per cent of tariff lines have been offered market access, covering 95 per cent of bilateral trade. India has excluded 29.97 per cent of tariff lines, including sensitive products such as dairy, several agricultural products, sugar, certain metals and other goods.
The agreement provides for immediate elimination of duties on 30 per cent of tariff lines covering products such as wood, wool, sheep meat and raw hides. A further 35.60 per cent of tariffs will be eliminated gradually over three, five, seven or 10 years.
Some products, including wine, pharmaceutical drugs, polymers and certain aluminium, iron and steel products, will receive tariff reductions, while a small number of products will be covered by tariff-rate quotas, including Mānuka honey, apples, kiwifruit and albumins.
The pact also provides for agricultural cooperation aimed at improving productivity and capabilities in sectors such as kiwifruit, apples and honey. The two sides will cooperate on planting material, research, technical assistance, orchard management, post-harvest practices, supply chains and food safety.
In services, New Zealand has committed across 118 sectors and offered Most-Favoured Nation treatment in 139 sectors, according to an official release.
The agreement also creates mobility opportunities for Indian students and professionals. It includes a Temporary Employment Entry visa pathway with a quota of 5,000 skilled Indians for stays of up to three years, covering occupations such as AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, Indian chefs and music teachers, as well as professionals in IT, engineering, healthcare, education and construction.
A Working Holiday Visa arrangement will allow 1,000 young Indians each year to travel to New Zealand for up to 12 months.
The agreement also includes an annex on student mobility and post-study work provisions, under which eligible Indian students can work up to 20 hours a week while studying and receive extended post-study work visas depending on their qualifications.
The FTA further provides for cooperation in areas including investment, research and innovation, technology, skills, renewable energy, digital services and infrastructure.
The parliamentary approval marks another step towards implementation of the India-New Zealand FTA, with the agreement covering trade in goods and services, investment, agriculture, mobility and customs procedures.
