Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has extended a formal invitation to companies based in Liechtenstein, urging them to channel investments into India and utilize the recently implemented free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as a strategic springboard for growth. The minister's call came during an official visit to the European nation on Wednesday, as confirmed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Showcasing India's Economic Momentum and Scale
During the discussions, Minister Goyal actively highlighted India's compelling value proposition for foreign investors. He detailed the nation's vast scale, consistent reform trajectory, and a rapidly expanding consumer market. The minister also underscored India's deepening industrial base and the sustained governmental focus on enhancing ease of doing business, accelerating digitisation, and building infrastructure-led competitiveness.
The context for this invitation is the landmark free trade agreement between India and the four-nation EFTA bloc, which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This pivotal pact was implemented last year and carries a significant investment commitment. EFTA nations have pledged to facilitate $100 billion in investments into India over the next 15 years, aiming to generate one million jobs.
Building Resilient Partnerships and Value Chains
Goyal specifically encouraged Liechtenstein enterprises to use the trade agreement as a dedicated platform to increase their footprint in India. He pointed to opportunities for establishing manufacturing units, forging innovation-led partnerships, and tapping into potential across multiple high-growth sectors. The dialogue also covered perspectives on the challenging global business environment.
The commerce ministry noted that in an era marked by supply chain disruptions, uncertainty, and heightened volatility, India and Liechtenstein can combine their unique strengths to offer much-needed stability and predictability to the global investor community. “India’s scale, talent, and manufacturing depth can complement Liechtenstein’s specialised industrial capabilities, high-value innovation, and financial expertise,” the ministry stated. It added that such synergy can help build resilient value chains and create a reliable investment bridge between the two economies.
Pathway to Deeper Collaboration
To translate the agreement into tangible outcomes, Minister Goyal pushed for greater involvement from EFTA companies in major trade and investment events held in India. He also invited closer collaboration through structured business dialogues and exchange of delegations.
The Indian government expressed optimism about welcoming more businesses from Liechtenstein and the wider EFTA region. The ultimate goal is to transform the trade pact into stronger investment flows, deeper technology partnerships, and an expanded role for India in global trade and investment networks. This engagement marks a strategic step in leveraging international agreements to fuel domestic economic growth and integration.
