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Tim Groser - Source: ONE News -
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Trade Minister Tim Groser expects significant benefits for New Zealand exporters as talks begin with India over a free trade deal.
Negotiations are under way for a free trade agreement with India, and Trade Minister Tim Groser is confident he can clinch significant benefits for New Zealand exporters.
India gave the go-ahead at a World Trade Organisation meeting in Switzerland on Sunday.
Groser says it is an exciting development, but it will be a long haul. He says India has a population of more than one billion people and by 2025 will be the third largest economy in the world.
Cabinet approved the start of negotiations in March last year and the relevant Indian cabinet committee approved the proposal last week.
Groser is optimistic about the talks.
"I expect negotiations to start soon and am confident we can deliver a high quality agreement with significant benefits for New Zealand exporters," he says.
"A free trade agreement with India offers great promise for New Zealand businesses. India is already one of our fastest-growing markets, with New Zealand exports having tripled over the last decade."
Groser says negotiators will concentrate on reducing the high
barriers currently facing New Zealand exporters to India so that
trade can further flourish.
