India-EFTA Desk | 13 Feb 2025

Source: TH 

India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) launched the India-EFTA Desk to strengthen economic ties and facilitate investments under the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). 

India-EFTA Desk  

• About: It is a dedicated investment facilitation mechanism established by Invest India to serve as a single-window platform for businesses from the EFTA nations to invest in India.  
• Objectives: The India-EFTA Desk aims to facilitate realising the objective of TEPA such as: 
  • USD 100 billion FDI over 15 years, generating over 1 million direct jobs in India. 
  • Commitments related to Intellectual Property Rights in TEPA. 
  • Technology Collaboration aligning with Make in India & Atma Nirbhar Bharat. 
• India-EFTA TEPA is a comprehensive FTA signed in March 2024. 

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)  

• EFTA is an intergovernmental organization of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, established under the Stockholm Convention (1960). 
• India is EFTA’s 5^th-largest trading partner (after the EU, US, UK, and China). 
• Two-way trade: USD 24 billion (2023-24), up from USD 18.65 billion (2022-23), with a trade gap favoring EFTA. 
• Key partners: Switzerland (largest), followed by Norway. 

Read More: India-EFTA Trade Deal