Commerce Minister to meet French and Italian leaders and CEOs to strengthen bilateral ties

Piyush Goyal will embark on a three-day journey to the countries, accompanied by a delegation of top Indian Chief Executive Officers (CEO)

April 10, 2023

Goyal will co-chair the India-France Business Summit with Olivier Becht

The summit will focus on themes such as building a green future, emerging technologies, defence cooperation, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific regions

In Italy, Goyal will attend top bilateral meetings and a CEOs Interactive Business Session

France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India, and Italy is among India's top 5 trading partners in the EU

Next week, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to France and Italy for an official visit to boost trade and investment ties, according to a government statement. During his three-day visit, he will hold meetings with leaders and top CEOs in both countries, accompanied by a delegation of top Indian CEOs.

In France, Goyal will co-chair the India-France Business Summit with Olivier Becht, Minister of Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, and attend a CEOs’ roundtable. The summit will focus on themes such as building a green future, emerging technologies, defence cooperation, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific regions. There will also be an event showcasing India’s cultural heritage and soft power, with over 600 dignitaries from the French government, the Indian business diaspora in France, and members of the French business community expected to attend. Goyal will also interact with members of the Indian community in Paris.

In Italy, Goyal will meet with Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and top Italian CEOs for bilateral meetings and a CEOs Interactive Business Session, with 35 CEOs expected to participate. He will also meet with Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, who will interact with Indian CEOs.

According to media reports, France is India’s 11th largest foreign investor, and a cumulative FDI of US$ 10.5 billion between April 2000 and December 2022. India-France bilateral trade stood at US$ 12.42 billion in 2021-22.

Italy is among India’s top 5 trading partners in the EU, with bilateral trade standing at over US$ 13 billion in 2021-22. Italy is the 17th largest foreign investor in India, with a cumulative FDI of US$ 3.25 billion between April 2000 and December 2022. Some of the major Italian companies that have invested in India are FIAT Auto, Heinz Italia, Italcementi, and Lavazza. The top sectors attracting FDI inflows from Italy are the automobile industry/transportation, food processing, metallurgical industry, textiles, and electrical equipment, among others.

Source: Economic Times

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