Senior officials from India’s commerce ministry, along with representatives from the commercial wings of Indian missions in 20 key countries, are convening in New Delhi for a comprehensive three-day meeting from January 6 to 8, 2025. The primary objective of this gathering is to formulate strategies for boosting the export of goods and services, with a focus on addressing challenges and seizing opportunities in international trade. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will lead the discussions on January 6, engaging with officials to deliberate on a wide range of critical issues. These include exploring sector-specific opportunities and challenges in six major product categories, overcoming non-tariff barriers, improving logistics infrastructure, addressing matters related to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and maximizing the benefits of the Market Access Initiative (MAI).

The participating nations represent some of India’s most significant trade partners, including major economies like the United States, Australia, France, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia. Together, these countries account for a substantial share of India’s total exports, making them vital to the country’s global trade strategy.

This initiative comes at a critical juncture as India’s exports witnessed a year-on-year contraction of 4.85% in November 2024, signaling the need for targeted measures to revitalize trade. The commerce ministry is currently formulating a detailed strategy to enhance exports in six key sectors, including engineering goods and electronics, to address this decline and promote sustainable growth in exports.

The meeting also aims to strengthen coordination between Indian missions abroad and domestic stakeholders, ensuring a cohesive approach to tackling global trade challenges. By aligning efforts across sectors and markets, India seeks to bolster its export performance, expand market access, and reinforce its position as a competitive player in the global economy. This high-level engagement reflects the government’s commitment to fostering international trade, driving economic growth, and building resilient trade networks in an increasingly dynamic global landscape.

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