What Will Piyush Goyal Discuss During His Qatar Visit?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Piyush Goyal's visit to Qatar marks a significant step in enhancing bilateral trade.
- The meeting aims to finalize the Terms of Reference for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
- Discussions will focus on trade barriers and opportunities for investment.
- Qatar is a key partner for India within the Gulf Cooperation Council.
- Bilateral trade is projected to exceed USD 14 billion in 2024-25.
New Delhi, Oct 5 (NationPress) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal is set to travel to Doha, Qatar on October 6 for a two-day session of the Qatar-India Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce, as announced by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry on Sunday.
The discussions will be co-chaired by H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry.
During this visit, the focus will be on the anticipated India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The agenda includes finalizing the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at enhancing economic collaboration between the two nations.
This marks Goyal’s inaugural visit to Qatar, where discussions will likely encompass a variety of topics such as bilateral trade performance, current trade impediments, and non-tariff issues.
The two countries are also expected to identify new opportunities for increasing trade and investment flows. Goyal will be accompanied by senior officials from various ministries.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry emphasized that this visit reflects India’s dedication to strengthening its trade and investment ties with Qatar.
"This visit highlights the significance India places on its trade and investment relations with Qatar, one of our vital trading partners within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with bilateral trade projected to exceed USD 14 billion in 2024-25," the ministry stated.
Qatar is recognized as one of India’s major trading partners in the GCC, with bilateral trade expected to surpass $14 billion in 2024–25.
Goyal is also anticipated to engage in discussions regarding cooperation in areas such as finance, agriculture, environment, tourism, culture, and healthcare.
On the sidelines of his visit, he will meet with notable Qatari dignitaries and prominent businessmen from the Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association.