Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal celebrated India’s trade diplomacy triumph: nine FTAs with 38 countries, securing priority entry into two-thirds of global markets. Delivered at Mumbai’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, his address painted an optimistic picture for Indian enterprises.
These agreements pave the way for expanded markets in goods, services, agriculture, fisheries, and labor-intensive sectors, deepening India’s embedment in global value chains and boosting professional mobility.
Goyal reframed self-reliance as crafting diversified, trustworthy supply chains via international collaboration. A fervent appeal went out to industry captains to propagate these benefits to grassroots levels—MSMEs, farmers, exporters, and coastal communities.
He placed faith in ‘young India’ to propel the nation towards developed status by 2047 in this golden era. Entrepreneurs and the youth brigade are at the forefront of this developmental narrative.
Quashing AI-induced job apocalypse fears, Goyal affirmed, ‘AI reshapes employment landscapes.’ Backed by 2.3 million yearly STEM graduates, India’s adaptable talent reservoir is ready for the AI revolution.
Echoing Y2K’s transformative impact, Goyal predicted AI will elevate Indian businesses through value-added tasks, export surges, and worldwide assimilation. Specialized roles in cybersecurity, data privacy, and governance systems await skilled workers.
Goyal capped the evening by awarding accolades to visionary entrepreneurs and startup pioneers, highlighting India’s innovative prowess.