Haryana CM Saini announces EU Working Group to boost exports, jobs

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement has unlocked new trade opportunities for the state. He urged local entrepreneurs to seize them fully and announced the creation of a Haryana–European Union Working Group. He was speaking at a meeting of the Haryana European Trade Association in New Delhi on Friday.Saini described the growing India-EU economic and strategic ties as more than a trade pact—a bridge of trust, partnership, and shared destiny between democracies with bold development visions. He called the agreement a historic milestone that will lift relations to new heights. The EU's 27 nations form a vast, affluent market with stringent quality standards and strong purchasing power. The deal flings open Europe's doors to Haryana and Indian products, offering enterprises, farmers and youth an ocean of opportunities that must be exploited.

The CM stressed the importance of maintaining high quality standards in goods to build global trust and credibility. He said the India–EU agreement will increase demand for Indian expertise in sectors such as IT services, data science and supply chain management in Europe, generating millions of high-skilled employment opportunities. For farmers, he described the agreement as a new ray of hope, as fruits, vegetables and processed food products from Haryana will now directly reach major European markets. He remarked that when the hard work of state’s farmers appears in supermarkets in Brussels, Berlin and Paris, it will reflect the strength of the state’s agricultural sector. He added that the real strength of the state lies in its micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the combination of European technology and Haryana’s skilled workforce will elevate production capacity and quality to global standards.

Saini said the government has simplified the single window clearance system, developed modern logistics parks and expressway networks and undertaken labour law reforms to prioritise ease of doing business.

The CM highlighted that one of the most significant aspects of the European trade agreement is the zero tariff regime. Under this arrangement, industries such as textiles, leather and handicrafts will no longer face heavy duties, making their products more competitive in European markets. He projected an increase in exports by 30 to 40 percent, which will bring prosperity to weavers, artisans and small entrepreneurs.