The North News
New Delhi, June 10
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with top Swiss business leaders in Bern to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties following the recently signed Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Goyal, on a strategic outreach visit, urged Swiss companies to expand operations in India, describing the country as a “dynamic, innovation-led growth hub.” He pitched India as not just a major consumer market but a global base for manufacturing, talent, and R&D.
In back-to-back roundtables hosted with support from the Indian Embassy in Switzerland, Goyal held discussions with leaders in biotech, pharma, healthcare, precision engineering, defence, and emerging technologies. The meetings spotlighted India’s push for tech transfer, sustainability, and regulatory harmonization.
“India is open for business—with transparency, stability, and speed,” Goyal said, reaffirming policy commitments around intellectual property protection and ease of doing business. He encouraged Swiss firms to engage with the dedicated EFTA desk at Invest India for streamlined market entry and expansion support.
Swiss executives expressed confidence in India’s economic trajectory, citing its large consumer base, skilled workforce, and pro-growth policy ecosystem. Several companies signalled interest in local manufacturing and joint ventures targeting both Indian and global markets.
From cancer therapies to industrial automation and cybersecurity, Swiss firms aligned themselves with India’s national development priorities. The mood was one of strategic commitment, with leaders framing India as a vital node in their future global value chains.
Goyal also met with members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s Swiss chapter, acknowledging their role in reinforcing Indo-Swiss professional ties.
