Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 10: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday with representatives from Export Promotion Councils and various industry associations to discuss the rapidly changing global trade environment and its implications for India.

The session focused on the opportunities and challenges emerging from the current geopolitical and economic landscape. Goyal emphasized the importance of taking a long-term perspective, especially in light of ongoing discussions with the United States regarding a comprehensive multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).

"Had a very productive dialogue with stakeholders from across sectors. Discussions revolved around strengthening India-US trade ties and fostering a mutually beneficial BTA," the Minister shared. He urged exporters to align their strategies with the broader vision of sustained economic cooperation between the two nations and assured them of continued government support to create an enabling trade environment.

Goyal commended the export community for their remarkable achievement in fiscal year 2024-25, with exports surpassing $820 billion — a nearly 6% increase from the previous year. This milestone was accomplished despite significant global headwinds including the Red Sea crisis, the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas war spilling into the Gulf, and sluggish growth in developed markets.

He praised the resilience and commitment of Indian exporters and reiterated the government’s readiness to support them as they navigate global uncertainties. Representatives from various sectors also voiced their concerns and offered insights, urging the government to implement proactive measures to bolster the export industry during these turbulent times.