DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Confederation of Indian industry (CII) Northern Region organised a Business Outreach Session on Sector-wise Opportunities and Benefits arising out of the India - Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) today. This Session aimed to brief the industry on the gains for the Indian Industry arising out of this Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Mr Tapan Mazumder, Additional DGFT - Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India informed that the major boost for India would be in its labour-intensive sectors, which are currently subject to import duty of 4-5% by Australia. "The Department of Commerce is having talks with the Australian Government for bringing in investments in clean air technology, mining, education and research & development. The warehousing systems in Australia can be used as a gateway to New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea where Indian presence is miniscule," said Mr Mazumder. Further, he urged CII and industry to work together and give more information to the Department of Commerce so that the bilateral relationship between India and Australia can be strengthened. Dr P J Singh, Vice Chairman, CII Punjab State Council and Managing Director, Tynor Orthotics said that the implementation of the ECTA between India and Australia has the potential to double bilateral trade in goods and services to USD 45 billion in five years. Congratulating the Prime Ministers of the two countries for the quick conclusion of the agreement, Dr Singh noted that zero-duty access to Australia's market is available to India presently with the ECTA entering into force on 29 December 2022. (editor@dailyworld.in)