Swiss Government Confirms Free Trade Deal With India To Go Into Force On October 1

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) The free trade agreement between the EFTA countries (European Free Trade Association, of which Switzerland is a member) and India will enter into force on October 1. This content was published on September 3, 2025 - 11:53 3 minutes Keystone-SDA

• Italiano it CF: accordo di libero scambio con l'India in vigore dal 1° ottobre Original Read more: CF: accordo di libero scambio con l'India in vigore dal 1° ottobr
• Português pt Acordo de livre comércio entre Suíça e Índia entrará em vigor em 1o de outubro Read more: Acordo de livre comércio entre Suíça e Índia entrará em vigor em 1o de outubr

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Today, the federal government decided on the necessary regulatory changes to implement the customs concessions agreed in the trade deal.

The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), as the understanding is called, between the EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and India increases the legal certainty and plannability of bilateral economic trade. It also improves access for Swiss goods and services to the Indian market, says a government note today.

In particular, New Delhi grants Bern better access to its market for 94.7% of current exports (2018-2023, excluding gold). These include pharmaceuticals, machinery, optical instruments, watches and processed agricultural products. Once the transitional periods expire, these concessions will result in annual duty savings of up to around CHF167 million (based on current trade; $207 million), it is pointed out.

Also sustainable development

For the first time, India will make legally binding commitments on trade and sustainable development in a free trade agreement (FTA). Indeed, the latter contains a provision in which the parties reconfirm their rights and obligations under other international treaties, including understandings on trade, environment, social affairs and human rights. This should ensure that neither the environmental and labour laws of the signatory states nor international environmental and social law are violated, it is further emphasised.

More More Foreign Affairs Swiss parliament approves free trade agreement with India

This content was published on Mar 20, 2025 Swiss parliament gave the green light for Switzerland to ratify the free trade agreement between EFTA and India.

Read more: Swiss parliament approves free trade agreement with Indi

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