MAIN HIGHLIGHTS BASED ON THE 20^TH SESSION OF INDIA ITALY JOINT COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION (JCEC) HELD ON 26^TH FEBRUARY, 2019 IN NEW DELHI, INDIA

Italy is India’s 5th largest trading partner in the European Union and 25th in the World during 2017-18. Italy has inherent strengths in manufacturing, design and innovation and skills training while India has a vast pool of skilled human resources, competitive wage rates and an edge in sectors such as leather, gems and jewellery, auto components and textiles. There is an immense potential for Italian and Indian industries to have partnership and cooperation.

Bilateral trade with Italy showed growth of 18.41% at USD 10.42 billion during 2017-18. Exports to Italy registered growth of 16.47% at USD 5.71 billion during the period.

Imports from Italy also saw a growth of 20.84% to USD 4.71 billion in 2017-2018 as compared to the last year. Total bilateral trade during first ten months of the current year increased by 5.62% at 9.02 billion with export decreased by 2.73% at USD 4.53 billion and imports increased by 15.61% at USD 4.49 billion.

India’s bilateral trade with Italy during 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 were USD 8.30 billion, USD 8.80 billion and USD 10.42 billion respectively. Bilateral trade during the recent years has been increasing despite global slowdown.

India has an attractive foreign investment policy and a number of liberalization measures have been undertaken in recent years. Italy ranks 17th in FDI inflow in India during April, 2000 to December, 2018. Total FDI inflows from Italy are USD 2.72 billion during this period.

Italian companies are keen to invest in India and it is time to put in place practical mechanism on the line of the working group on agriculture that has been set up to facilitate investment joint venture agricultural sector both countries.

Italy is looking to work in areas like financial services, renewable energy, infrastructure, transport development in railways, construction and the auto motive sector.

Both the Governments reiterated that issues of market access for business and investment in both countries will be smoothened which will definitely have a positive impact on trade relations of both countries.

The meeting took place in an amicable atmosphere, reflecting the strategic nature of the partnership among the two countries and the desire to further develop and strengthen their economic and commercial ties on the basis of equity and mutual benefit.

As per the agenda of the 20th Session, the two sides reviewed the following issues of mutual interest:

1. Economic Developments in India and Italy
2. Trade (Bilateral Trade and Diversification of Trade)
3. Bilateral Investment (Including Make in India, Startup India)
4. Economic & Industrial Cooperation

The two Sides agreed to hold 21th Meeting of the Joint Commission in Italy in 2021.

By

 Mr. Ashok Parashar – A P J A and Associates Chartered Accountants

ashok.parashar@apja.in