Welcome
to TEPA.swiss
The Swiss-Indian Trade Highway. Seamlessly navigate TEPA tariffs, market insights, and business opportunities. Empowering Swiss companies to expand into India with precision and confidence.
TEPA Roadmap
1️⃣ Negotiation & Finalization (Already Completed)
✅ Bilateral Negotiations → Switzerland (via SECO) and India negotiated the terms of TEPA, covering tariff reductions, market access, investment rules, and dispute resolution mechanisms. ✅ Agreement Finalization → The final legal text of the agreement was reviewed and adjusted to ensure compliance with Swiss trade policies and WTO commitments. 📍 Current Status: TEPA negotiations have been concluded, and the text is awaiting approval by Swiss institutions.
2️⃣ Federal Council Approval
🔹 The Swiss Federal Council (Bundesrat) formally reviews TEPA to ensure it aligns with Swiss economic interests and international trade commitments. 🔹 The Council then submits the agreement to Parliament, accompanied by an explanatory report detailing economic benefits, legal considerations, and geopolitical implications. 📍 Estimated Timeline: Typically within 1-3 months after the agreement is finalized.
India Opens EFTA Desk to Boost Swiss Investments
🇮🇳 On February 10, 2025, India launched an EFTA Desk in Delhi to support investments from EFTA countries, including Switzerland 🇨🇭. 🏢 The desk helps companies navigate regulations and enter the Indian market before the free trade deal takes effect. 📜 The India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement, signed in March 2024, includes $100 billion in investments 💰 and one million new jobs 👷♂️ in India. ⚖️ Switzerland’s ratification may be delayed due to potential referendums, prompting safeguards on sustainability 🌱 and labor rights 🚫🧒🏽. 📈 Over 30 Swiss companies are part of the EFTA delegation, showing strong business interest despite India’s challenging market conditions.
Next Steps for Swiss Businesses
✔ Monitor Parliamentary Debates → Swiss businesses should track TEPA discussions in Bundesrat, Nationalrat, and Ständerat. ✔ Engage with Industry Groups → Companies should collaborate with Swiss trade associations, export councils, and business chambers to advocate for TEPA. ✔ Prepare for Implementation → Businesses should start planning market entry strategies, supply chain adjustments, and investment expansions in India.