Sept 16 (Reuters) – New Zealand’s parliament on Wednesday passed legislation to implement a free trade agreement with India, under which tariffs on about 95% of New Zealand exports to India would be eliminated or significantly reduced.
The legislation passed by a vote of 93–29, with support from the opposition Labour Party.
• More than half of all products covered would become duty-free from the day it takes effect.
• “For exporters, the benefits are immediate and substantial,” New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay said in a statement.
• “We expect this high-quality agreement to enter into force this year, delivering on our promise to complete a free trade agreement with India this term.”
• Under the deal, all Indian goods will receive duty-free access to New Zealand. Wellington has also agreed to invest $20 billion in India over the next 15 years.
• Both nations originally signed the trade agreement in April.
• Two-way trade totalled NZ$3.99 billion ($2.29 billion) in the year to June 2026, with India ranking as New Zealand’s ninth-largest goods and services export market.
• The trade deal will become effective after both nations complete their respective ratification procedures.
($1 = 1.7388 New Zealand dollars)
(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; editing by Lincoln Feast.)
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