New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said Arunachal Pradesh's farmers, metal producers and manufacturers stand to gain from India's recent trade agreements, which he said would provide the frontier state greater access to global markets.
In a post on social media platform X, Goyal said nine trade agreements signed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have opened new opportunities for the northeastern state across sectors ranging from agriculture and manufacturing to tourism.
"Arunachal Pradesh's farmers, metal producers, and manufacturers just got a direct line to global markets, thanks to the 9 new trade deals inked under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership," Goyal said.
"The frontier state is now on the front line of Bharat's growth story," he added.
According to a video shared by the minister on the social media platform, the trade pacts include agreements with the UK, New Zealand, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the UAE, Australia, Mauritius and Oman among others.
The minister said farmers and processed food producers in the state would gain access to larger and more affluent overseas markets, helping boost agricultural exports.
Base metal producers are also expected to benefit from improved competitiveness in international markets, while manufacturing activity in the state could receive a fresh push from lower tariffs and wider export opportunities, according to the video.
It added that products such as auto components and brake linings, which were earlier largely confined to domestic or local markets could find greater acceptance abroad as tariff barriers are reduced under the trade agreements.
Apart from merchandise exports, eco-tourism sector in the state is also expected to benefit from stronger international economic linkages and greater global visibility, according to the minister's post.
The gains from these trade agreements would flow directly to people engaged in farming, manufacturing and allied sectors, he said.
Goyal further highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh is well-positioned to make a bigger contribution to the government's vision of a Viksit Bharat aided by expanding trade opportunities and deeper integration with global markets.
--IANS
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