How is Piyush Goyal Strengthening Strategic Ties in Italy?

Synopsis
Piyush Goyal's recent visit to Italy aimed to bolster India-Italy ties through strategic collaborations in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. With key meetings held with industry leaders, Goyal emphasized trade and joint ventures, highlighting the potential of the India-EU FTA. This visit marks a significant step in enhancing economic cooperation between India and Italy.
Key Takeaways
- Piyush Goyal engaged with key Italian industry leaders to explore collaboration opportunities.
- Focus on sustainable practices and modernization in agriculture.
- Discussions highlighted the potential of the India-EU FTA.
- Emphasis on boosting manufacturing and innovation through joint ventures.
- Commitment to enhance trade relations between India and Italy.
Rome, June 6 (NationPress) During his official visit to Italy, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal engaged with Mirco Maschio, the Chairman of Maschio Gaspardo, a prominent name in sustainable agricultural solutions, to explore potential collaborations as India progresses in its mission to modernize its agricultural landscape.
“I had a productive dialogue with Mirco Maschio, the Chairman of the Board at Maschio Gaspardo, a global leader in sustainable agricultural solutions. As India strives towards modernizing its agricultural sector, we discussed the vast opportunities for collaboration,” Goyal shared on X.
The Indian Minister also conferred with Veronica Squinzi, CEO and Global Development Director of MAPEI Group, a manufacturer of chemical products for the construction industry. They deliberated on the expanding opportunities for MAPEI in India, spurred by the nation’s rapid infrastructure growth and rising demand for advanced construction solutions.
In addition, during a meeting with Sonia Bonfiglioli, Chairwoman and CEO of Bonfiglioli, an engineering company with a deep-rooted presence in India, Goyal expressed appreciation for their unwavering trust in India’s growth narrative.
They discussed the company’s advancements in India and potential avenues to enhance manufacturing, Research and Development, and innovation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative.
Goyal also had a constructive meeting with Mario Gnutti, Vice President of Gnutti Carlo Group, a leader in the automotive sector, where they explored ways to fortify the company’s presence in India and contribute to local manufacturing, given the significant opportunities available to cater to global demands.
On Thursday, the Minister reiterated India’s mutual dedication to expedite the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA).
While addressing the Italy-India Business Forum, the Minister noted that he had convened three meetings in under 35 days with “my friend Maros Sefcovic, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.”
“This reflects our shared commitment to hastening the India-EU FTA,” he asserted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, have agreed to accelerate the completion of the India-EU FTA by year-end.
“Our focus remains on achieving the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029. I emphasized the transformative potential of the IMEC Corridor and the India-EU FTA. I also extended an invitation to Italian businesses to join India’s growth journey,” Goyal stated in a post on X.
India and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic ties, emphasizing trade, joint ventures, and connectivity through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
In a joint press conference, Antonio Tajani, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister, highlighted the “huge scope” for enhancing India-EU trade through the opportunities presented by IMEEC. Tajani called for stronger collaborations in sectors such as space, technology, steel, and aluminum.