India-UAE High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments Holds 10th Meeting

The tenth meeting of the UAE-India High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments (‘The Joint Task Force’) today took place in Mumbai, co-chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles, Government of India; and H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE State Minister for Foreign Trade; Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Banna, UAE Ambassador to India; Anurag Jain, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade; as well as senior officials from relevant government authorities, investment entities and companies of both countries.

The Joint Task Force was established in 2013 to promote trade, investment and economic ties between the UAE and India.

This was the first meeting of the Joint Task Force since the signing of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and unveiling of the Joint UAE-India Vision Statement in February 2022 during the virtual summit between Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The UAE-India CEPA is a major trade agreement to transform bilateral economic, trade and investment ties and propel economic growth.

It also provides a clear roadmap for the continued strengthening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries at an accelerated pace.

During the meeting, the co-chairs recognised the early trends of the positive impact of the historic UAE-India CEPA on bilateral trade since it came into force in May 2022.

The co-chairs urged businessmen on both sides to benefit from the conducive trade ecosystem created under CEPA. The co-chairs also noted progress on various aspects of the CEPA, including the establishment of the CEPA Joint Committee and related sub-committees.

The two delegations reviewed the status of the negotiations of the UAE-India Bilateral Investment Treaty, which held 12 rounds of talks to date. Both sides noted that much progress could have been achieved since the commencement of the negotiations, and reiterated their commitment to accelerate the process for an early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement.

Discussions also took place on enhancing bilateral investments in crucial sectors such as food security, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and technology.

In this context, it was agreed that the concerned authorities in both countries would explore the establishment of efficient and integrated Single Window Solutions and Virtual Trade Corridors to reduce costs and time involved in trade and investment-related procedures.

From the UAE side, it was agreed that the Department of Economic Development of Abu Dhabi will explore this area of cooperation with the concerned counterparties in India to agree on a mutually beneficial implementation approach.

As a means of encouraging increased investment flows by the UAE sovereign investment entities into India, the two sides reviewed UAE’s request concerning providing tax incentives to certain UAE sovereign investment entities under the existing UAE-India Tax Treaty, and India’s response to provide the same under the existing domestic tax laws of India.

It was agreed that bilateral discussions should continue to reach a mutually beneficial outcome that meets the policy objectives of both countries.

In this context, the support provided to the UAE sovereign entities through the Finance Act 2020 and subsequent issuance of notifications for tax exemption was noted and appreciated.

An important area discussed was the creation of a mechanism for carrying out bilateral trade in national currencies.

Referring to the ongoing discussions between Reserve Bank of India and Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates on Unified Payment Interface (UPI) as a common digital payments platform, both sides agreed to continue discussions.

In the positive backdrop provided by the extensive and growing trade and investment relationship, the two sides acknowledged the importance of using the Joint Task Force as a forum to address specific issues and difficulties faced by the companies when investing in each other’s countries. India set up a UAE Plus Desk in 2018 and established a Fast Track Mechanism in 2019 to identify, resolve and expedite issues faced by the UAE companies and investors in India.

The UAE Special Desk in India was commended for its efforts in leading and facilitating UAE investments across sectors. In this regard, it was agreed that the Indian side would provide the necessary support to UAE Fast Track Mechanism in India to ensure speedy resolution of pending issues and difficulties experienced by a number of UAE companies and banks operating in India.

It was also agreed that a similar India Fast Track Mechanism would be set up in the UAE immediately to resolve issues about the Indian investors and to assist Indian companies in market entry and expansion when investing in the UAE.

In this context, issues concerning some Indian companies in the UAE were noted, and it was agreed that the UAE side would provide the necessary support to ensure a speedy and mutually satisfactory resolution.

Speaking at the meeting, Piyush Goyal, said, “During the last meeting of the Joint, Task Force we had decided to fast-track the negotiations of CEPA, and we finalised the agreement in an unprecedented 88 days.

I am sure that the discussions we have had today on mutually beneficial areas, such as food security and bilateral trade in national currencies, will also see similar thrust from both sides.

The India-UAE relations are witnessing unprecedented momentum.

We have several opportunities for cooperation and increasing investments, especially the key sectors such as infrastructure and technology, and especially Fintech.”

At the meeting’s conclusion, Sheikh Hamed said, “Since the last meeting of the Joint Task Force in October 2021, several significant milestones have been reached that cement the close, growing and strategic relationship between India and the UAE.

Within this broader context, the Joint Task Force continues to facilitate positive dialogue between our two countries as we strengthen the economic links that have helped to draw our nations together.

The Joint Task Force has proved effective in creating new opportunities and removing barriers.

It will continue to play an important role in promoting bilateral investment in support of our respective countries’ growth ambitions.”