New Delhi, Dec 21 (.) The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has welcomed the conclusion of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), describing it as a forward-looking partnership that aligns strongly with India’s long-term economic vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The chamber noted that the agreement represents a significant step towards enhancing India’s global trade presence while supporting inclusive growth across sectors.
Welcoming the development, Rajeev Juneja, President, PHDCCI, said, “We welcome the conclusion of the India-New Zealand Free Trade deal as a partnership aligned with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The deal delivers 100 per cent zero-duty market access for Indian exports, and a framework that supports students, professionals, MSMEs, and labour-intensive sectors. Commitments on investment, regulatory cooperation, and duty-free inputs will enhance competitiveness, integrate Indian industry into global value chains across all sectors.”
According to PHDCCI, the agreement provides Indian exporters with unprecedented market access, especially benefiting labour-intensive industries and small and medium enterprises. The zero-duty access for Indian goods is expected to improve price competitiveness, expand export volumes and create new employment opportunities, particularly in manufacturing and traditional sectors.
The chamber highlighted that the India-New Zealand FTA goes beyond conventional trade liberalisation and reflects the contours of a next-generation agreement. It brings together trade, talent mobility, investment flows and productivity-led cooperation under a single framework, creating long-term economic resilience.
Dr Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, emphasized the broader economic impact of the pact, stating, “India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement represents a next-generation deal combining trade liberalisation with talent mobility, investment, and productivity-led cooperation. This comes with well-standardized agricultural safeguards and technology-focused partnerships protecting farmer interests while raising productivity. The agreement provides policy certainty and lowers input costs for manufacturing, creating a vision for long-term economic resilience.”
PHDCCI also noted that the agreement strikes a careful balance between market access and domestic protection, particularly in agriculture. The inclusion of standardized safeguards and technology-driven partnerships ensures that farmer interests are protected while productivity and value addition are enhanced.
. SAS PRS