India looks to conclude trade agreement with GCC this year, says Piyush Goyal

The government looks to conclude a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) this year itself, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday.

The deal will be similar to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"We are confident in our negotiating ability, we have conducted negotiations in a rapid manner with UAE, and we are confident that a similar agreement on trade would be concluded with the GCC in this year itself," Goyal said at a press conference here.


GCC is a union of six countries in the Gulf region, namely, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

India is also looking to sign interim trade agreements with the UK and Australia as soon as possible, he said. An interim trade deal with Canada, dealing with "low-hanging fruits" will also be signed soon, he said.