FTA with New Zealand will boost leather, other industries: Piyush Goyal

The article notes that the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement is to be signed in Delhi on Monday, 27 April 2026, indicating progress from the Agra engagements and signaling anticipated trade and market-access gains.

Pooran Dawar, Chairman of Central Leather Exports, said Agra exporters hope the FTA and other bipartite agreements to be signed in Delhi on Monday will boost exports three to five times and help establish Agra as a world capital of footwear manufacturing.

Goyal posted on X about an enriching industry engagement in Agra with leaders from leather & footwear, light engineering, AYUSH, pharma, medical devices and sports goods sectors, joined by Todd McClay.

New Zealand’s minister for trade and investment, Todd McClay, said strengthening ties will open doors for trade of raw materials and boost design and manufacturing sectors through the partnership.

Ministers from India and New Zealand attended the India-New Zealand Business Meet at a hotel in Agra. It was highlighted that Agra accounts for 75% of the nation’s leather export share and hosts about 5,000 MSMEs employing 4–5 lakh people, with exports to Europe, America and other regions.

Goyal said the joining of Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including Raghav Chadha and others, to the BJP was driven by perceptions of corruption and governance issues during the AAP regime.

In response to a question, Goyal stated that under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership the National Democratic Alliance will form governments in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, asserting that change is imminent in West Bengal.

Speaking to media outside the Taj Mahal, Goyal said the long-pending FTA with New Zealand to be signed in Delhi on Monday will open opportunities for Agra's leather, handicraft, handloom and ODOP businesses, with Indian goods entering New Zealand tax-free and duty-free.

Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal arrived in Agra on Saturday night for engagements surrounding the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. He was in Agra and visited the Taj Mahal in the early hours of Sunday.