Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani is taking part this evening in the celebration of India’s National Day, in the presence of the Indian Ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao and around 250 guests. In his address, the Minister welcomed the signing of the EU–India Free Trade Agreement, which took place yesterday in New Delhi. “This day comes at a particularly significant moment, with the conclusion of the agreement between the EU and India. An agreement that the Italian Government has supported in Brussels with the utmost determination. This understanding will open up extraordinary new opportunities for growth and exports for our companies,” the Minister stressed.
Minister Tajani underlined the major benefits the agreement will bring to Italian businesses: annual savings of over half a billion euros in customs duties are estimated, along with a doubling of European exports to India, which already generate 800,000 jobs in Europe. The Free Trade Agreement focuses on sectors in which Italy has a strong export vocation, including machinery, pharmaceuticals and agri-food products, wine included.
Minister Tajani recalled that India is among the most promising countries for Italy’s Export Plan: in 2025, Italian exports grew by 8% and work is underway to reach EUR 20 billion in bilateral trade by 2029. Contacts between Italian and Indian companies have intensified over the past year, thanks to the organisation of three major business forums in New Delhi, Brescia and Mumbai, most recently during Minister Tajani’s visit in December. The key sectors in which Italian companies can contribute their expertise include agri-food, infrastructure, new technologies, space, the energy transition and defence.
Minister Tajani also recalled that a cornerstone of Italy–India cooperation is the strategic IMEC economic and logistics corridor project, announcing a major Conference to be held in Trieste on 17 March to give fresh momentum to the initiative.