New Zealand trade pact to take effect on Oct 20, to give duty-free access

NEW DELHI: The India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) will come into force on Oct 20 (Dusshera), providing duty-free access to 100% of India’s exports, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal announced Monday. And, talks with Canada for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) are moving in top gear.“The next 90 days should be a very defining period in the Canada-India relationship. Both sides have resolved to fast-track negotiations, in view of which our team is now slated to go for the fifth round on Oct 5,” Goyal told reporters. The fourth round of negotiations concluded on Sept 18 and the next one is scheduled in just around a fortnight, indicating that two sides are keen to clinch a deal soon.