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Commerce ministry seeks exporters inputs to tackle trade barriers with Australia & New Zealand
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
March 23 , 2026
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In a significant step toward strengthening pharmaceutical trade ties, the Union commerce ministry, through the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), has called upon the Indian pharmaceutical companies and exporters to submit detailed inputs on market access challenges faced in Australia and New Zealand.
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to monitor, review, and address trade barriers while improving the utilisation of existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with both countries.
The move is aimed at identifying a wide range of non-tariff impediments that may be restricting the smooth flow of pharmaceutical exports. Exporters have specifically been requested to highlight issues related to Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, which are key factors that often affect regulatory approvals, compliance, and market entry.
Industry stakeholders have been asked to provide comprehensive details, including the specific sector or product affected, the type and nature of the barrier, and a clear description of the issue encountered. Additionally, exporters are required to indicate the stage at which these challenges arise, such as during product registration, certification processes, customs clearance, or adherence to regulatory standards. Where possible, companies are also encouraged to estimate the trade impact of such barriers to help authorities gauge the scale of the problem.
The commerce ministry has urged exporters not only to report challenges but also to propose actionable solutions or recommendations. These suggestions will be examined in detail and, where necessary, taken up with the relevant authorities in Australia and New Zealand through appropriate trade and diplomatic channels.
Companies are required to submit their inputs in a structured format, including essential details such as company name, contact person, designation, mobile number, email ID, and a full account of the issue along with proposed solutions. This structured approach is expected to streamline the evaluation process and facilitate targeted interventions.
Commenting on the development, Raja Bhanu, director general, Pharmexcil said that the initiative is designed to create a direct feedback mechanism between exporters and policymakers. He noted that timely and detailed inputs from the industry would enable authorities to better understand on-ground challenges and take proactive measures to resolve them, ultimately enhancing India’s pharmaceutical export performance in these key markets.
The exercise reflects the government’s broader strategy to deepen trade engagement with Australia and New Zealand while ensuring that Indian pharmaceutical exporters can fully leverage the benefits of FTAs by overcoming regulatory and procedural hurdles.
New Zealand concluded the Fourth Round of FTA Talks in the month of November, 2025. Union minister of commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal, and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade, Todd McClay, reviewed the progress achieved during this round and expressed confidence that the proposed FTA would strengthen trade and investment linkages between the two countries.
Delegations from both nations engaged in detailed discussions on key areas, including trade in goods and services, economic cooperation, and rules of origin. The commerce ministry said the FTA is expected to boost trade flows, enhance supply chain resilience, and offer improved market access and predictability in both countries in key sectors like pharmaceuticals.
The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Australia ECTA) also marked its third anniversary on April 02, 2025. Since the agreement's signing on April 02, 2022, it has created pathways for robust trade, offering new avenues for businesses and employment across both nations. The ECTA has also brought tangible benefits in key sectors like pharmaceuticals and chemicals.
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