New Delhi. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal said that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) will open up opportunities abroad for professionals like accountants, doctors and architects. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal said this while addressing a “Thinking Camp” on professional services organized at Banijya Bhawan in New Delhi on December 23.
Addressing a discussion session on ‘Broadening Global Horizons: Opportunities for Indian Professionals’, Rajesh Aggarwal said that the legally binding commitments on professional services under the FTA will open up the global market for Indian professionals.
Aggarwal said that services trade is very important for the development of the Indian economy. He said services make a stronger contribution to domestic value addition than goods exports. He said that India’s demographic dividend holds immense potential to meet the growing global demand for professional services. Commerce Secretary said that to harness this potential, it is important to adopt global best practices and equip professionals with advanced skills in line with the changing global market needs and technological developments.
He also encouraged professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to organize and participate in international conferences to provide platforms for knowledge sharing and better collaboration. Aggarwal stressed “the importance of better coordination of stakeholders, improving domestic environment and legally binding commitments on professional services under various free trade agreements to open up global markets for Indian professional services.”
Ministry of Commerce and Industry informed that during the brainstorming sessions organized on the theme ‘Broadening Global Horizons: Opportunities for Indian Professionals’, four key issues were discussed – preparing professionals globally, strengthening international transportation through Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and MoUs, developing, forming and expanding the network of professionals abroad and leveraging Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to promote export of professional services. Was done.
The ministry said India has received commitments under various free trade agreements, including the recently announced agreement with New Zealand, under which easier rules and visa facilities will be provided for its professionals. Under this agreement, about 5,000 Indian professionals like yoga instructors, cooks, AYUSH professionals, IT professionals, education teachers, nurses, caregivers will get professional visas to contribute to the New Zealand economy.
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