Page 22 - Bullion World Volume 4 Issue 3 March 2024

Bullion World | Volume 4 | Issue 3 | March 2024

India's FTA Negotiations with Peru:

Tariff Concession on Gold can be a

Major Concern for India

Mr Ajay Srivastava, Founder, Global Trade Research Initiative

India's Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
negotiations with Peru represent a
significant step towards deepening
economic ties between the two nations,
aiming to boost bilateral trade and
investment.

Since 2017, both countries have been
actively engaged in discussions to
finalize an FTA that could transform
their economic relationship.

Gold is a major concern for India.
Tariff concessions on Gold, accounting for US$1.8 billion
or 80% of India's imports from Peru in FY2023 is the
most challenging issue for India.
Mr Ajay Srivastava
Gold, a high-value product with low volume, attracts
a 10% basic customs duty in India. Even minor tariff
concessions could lead to a significant increase in
imports. For instance, after tariff concessions under the India's bound duty on gold is set at 40%, but the current
India-UAE Free Trade Agreement, gold imports from the applied tariff is 10%. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) offer
UAE, India's second-largest gold supplier, doubled in the concessions on effective duties rather than on the bound
calendar year 2023 compared to 2022. duty.

Peru, the fifth-largest supplier to India, could see a Excluding gold from an FTA would violate the World
similar surge in gold imports if concessions are made. Trade Organization's Article XXIV, which requires duty
cuts on substantial trade for FTAs.
In 2023, India's global imports of unwrought gold were
estimated at US$43 billion, with Switzerland accounting India’s bound duty on Gold is 40% and current applied
for 40% of these imports. tariffs are 10%.

Given Peru's gold mines, its gold would easily meet any FTAs allow concessions in effective duties and not on
Rules of Origin criteria. bound duty.

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