Measures identified to enhance bilateral trade in goods-services
Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, have agreed to expedite the finalization of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for launching formal negotiations on the India–Qatar Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) https://www.commerce.gov.in/.
The Ministers emphasized cooperation in priority sectors such as digital economy, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, culture, and environment during their meeting in Doha at the India–Qatar Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Cooperation https://www.moci.gov.qa/en/.
Both Ministers co-chaired the meeting, a first sitting of the upgraded Joint Commission, following the decision taken during the visit of the Amir of Qatar to India in February 2025 to elevate the earlier Joint Working Group on Trade and Commerce https://fieo.org/.
The visit reaffirmed both sides’ strong commitment to further strengthen bilateral economic engagement and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors https://www.bseindia.com/.
During the Commission meeting, both Ministers reviewed:
The overall trade (valued at over US$14 billion in 2024–25) and identified measures to enhance and diversify Indian bilateral trade in goods and services https://www.nseindia.com/.
Set a shared goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030, with new opportunities in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, finance, technology, and green growth.
Acknowledged the announcement of US$10 billion by Qatar into India during the State Visit of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar and shared commitment of both sides to unlocking new avenues for mutually beneficial investments https://www.gco.gov.qa/en/.
On the sidelines, Goyal held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with senior Qatari dignitaries and business leaders to discuss avenues for enhancing collaboration in various areas like food security, trade finance, project partnerships, and investment opportunities for Qatar entities in India’s infrastructure and industrial sectors.
The Minister also addressed the first meeting of the India–Qatar Joint Business Council (JBC) attended by senior business representatives from FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, and the Qatar Chamber, and later interacted with members of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA).
He underlined India’s role as one of the fastest-growing major economies and an emerging hub for innovation, manufacturing, and technology under the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
As a key milestone in digital cooperation, Goyal launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services in Qatar, enabling seamless digital transactions for the Indian diaspora and local consumers http://qatariinvestors.com.
The Minister also interacted with members of the Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC), the Doha Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), and the vibrant Indian community in Qatar, appreciating their contribution as a bridge for enhancing economic ties between both nations.
The visit concluded with a reaffirmation of India and Qatar’s shared vision for a forward-looking, diversified, and resilient economic partnership, built on mutual trust, energy cooperation, technological collaboration, and strong people-to-people ties. Fiinews.com
