**Executive Summary**
The Department of Commerce organized a Chintan Shivir on July 3, 2026, to explore seafood sector opportunities under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). The session focused on leveraging significant tariff concessions, facilitating USD 100 billion in investments, and enhancing market access to EFTA member states. Key stakeholders committed to collaborative strategies to meet international regulatory standards and maximize export growth.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**India-EFTA TEPA Overview**
* TEPA is India's first trade agreement with EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) and its first operational arrangement with a European economic bloc.
* The agreement aims to facilitate USD 100 billion in investments into India and create one million direct jobs.
* It provides a framework for technology transfer, joint ventures, and collaboration with niche technology firms from EFTA nations.
**Specific Tariff Concessions for Seafood**
* **Iceland:** Elimination of the 55% import duty on feed, including fish feed.
* **Switzerland:** Reduction of import duty on fish fats and oils (excluding liver oil) from 18.05% to zero.
* **Norway:** Elimination of the 13.16% import duty on fish and shrimp feed.
**Export Facilitation and Investment**
* The agreement expands export opportunities for fishermen and seafood stakeholders, particularly in coastal regions like Tamil Nadu.
* Invest India identified emerging investment opportunities across the Indian seafood value chain.
* The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) highlighted export promotion schemes designed to improve competitiveness and ease of doing business.
**Regulatory Compliance and Quality Standards**
* Discussions emphasized the importance of adhering to international regulatory requirements and quality standards for EFTA markets.
* The Export Inspection Council (EIC) and Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) provided insights on strategies to leverage TEPA benefits through compliance.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Seafood Exporters**
**Impact**
Exporters gain a competitive advantage through the elimination of high import duties on feed and fish oils, reducing costs and increasing market access in EFTA countries.
**Action Required**
Exporters must align their products with EFTA quality standards and utilize DGFT promotion schemes to maximize the benefits of tariff concessions.
**Fishermen and Coastal Communities**
**Impact**
Increased export demand under TEPA is expected to expand livelihood opportunities and support job creation in coastal states.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders in these communities need to engage with trade facilitation programs to integrate into the expanding global supply chain.
**Government and Regulatory Bodies (DGFT, EIC, Invest India)**
**Impact**
These entities are responsible for bridging the gap between policy benefits and industry implementation through investment facilitation and regulatory guidance.
**Action Required**
Continue providing technical insights on international standards and maintain platforms for direct engagement with the industry to ensure effective implementation of TEPA.
Key Entities Referenced
India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA): India's first operational trade agreement with a European economic bloc, providing significant tariff concessions and aiming for USD 100 billion in investments.
Department of Commerce: The primary government department responsible for organizing the Chintan Shivir and managing the implementation of trade and investment opportunities under TEPA.
EFTA Member States: A trade bloc comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland that has eliminated or reduced import duties on various Indian seafood products.
Mohit Yadav: Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, who led the high-level deliberations on leveraging TEPA for the seafood sector.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce Organises Chintan
Shivir on Opportunities for Seafood Sector under
India-EFTA TEPA
Stakeholders Discuss Investment Opportunities, Export
Facilitation and Market Access for Seafood Exports under
TEPA
प्रव तथ: 06 JUL 2026 6:47PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Commerce, Government of India, organised a Chintan Shivir on “Opportunities for the
Seafood Sector under the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership
Agreement (TEPA)” on 3 July 2026 at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai. The high-level brainstorming
session was held on the sidelines of Seafood Expo Bharat 2026.
TEPA is India's first trade agreement with the EFTA member states comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway and Switzerland. Collectively, the EFTA economies account for a combined GDP of
approximately USD 1.79 trillion and are among the world's leading players in merchandise and services
trade. TEPA is also India's first operational trade arrangement with a European economic bloc,
complementing the country's ongoing trade engagements with the European Union and the United
Kingdom. The Agreement carries an ambition to facilitate USD 100 billion in investments into India and
support the creation of one million direct jobs. It also opens avenues for technology transfer, joint ventures
and collaboration with niche technology firms from EFTA countries, while significantly expanding export
opportunities for fishermen and seafood stakeholders, particularly in coastal states such as Tamil Nadu.
TEPA offers substantial strategic advantages for Indian seafood exporters through significant tariff
concessions. Under the Agreement, Iceland has eliminated its 55 per cent import duty on feed, including
fish feed. Switzerland has reduced the import duty on fats and oils of fish (other than liver oil) from 18.05
per cent to zero. Similarly, Norway has eliminated its 13.16 per cent import duty on feed, including fish
and shrimp feed, reducing the tariff to zero and enhancing market access for Indian exporters.
The Chintan Shivir was attended by Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Mohit Yadav along
with representatives from Invest India, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Regional Office,
Chennai, the Export Inspection Council (EIC), and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).
Leading exporters from the seafood sector and businesses targeting EFTA markets also participated in the
deliberations.
Addressing the participants, Shri Mohit Yadav provided a comprehensive overview of the India-EFTA
TEPA and highlighted the wide-ranging trade and investment opportunities available to Indian businesses
under the Agreement.A representative from Invest India delivered a detailed presentation on emerging investment opportunities
across the Indian seafood value chain. This was followed by a presentation by a DGFT representative
outlining various export promotion and facilitation schemes aimed at enhancing ease of doing business
and improving the competitiveness of Indian exporters. Representatives from EIC and FIEO also shared
insights on regulatory requirements, quality standards and strategies for effectively leveraging the benefits
available under TEPA.
A dedicated interactive open-house session served as a key highlight of the Chintan Shivir, providing
seafood exporters with an opportunity to engage directly with government officials and policymakers.
Discussions focused on market access, compliance with international regulatory requirements, and
strategies for strengthening India's seafood exports to EFTA countries.
The Chintan Shivir concluded with a shared commitment by government and industry stakeholders to
work collaboratively towards maximising the benefits of TEPA, leveraging tariff concessions, and
expanding India's seafood exports in EFTA markets.
***
Abhishek Dayal/ Garima Singh/ Ishita Biswas
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