India, New Zealand Wrap up FTA Talks on Financial Services

25 Dec 2025 CW Team

The Financial Services Annex is designed to create a forward-looking and mutually beneficial framework that enhances market access, regulatory cooperation and institutional linkages between the two countries. Expanding beyond standard World Trade Organization commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the annex comprises 18 articles covering a wide range of contemporary financial services issues.

A major focus of the agreement is collaboration on electronic payments and real-time transaction infrastructure. Both sides have committed to working towards domestic payments interoperability and facilitating real-time cross-border remittances and merchant payments through integrated fast payment systems. This is expected to strengthen India’s digital payments ecosystem, support fintech innovation and open new opportunities for Indian payment service providers.

The annex also places strong emphasis on financial technology and regulatory innovation. Provisions encourage cooperation between the two countries’ regulatory and digital sandbox frameworks, enabling knowledge exchange and cross-border experimentation while positioning India as a fintech hub within the partnership.

In addition, the agreement addresses the transfer and protection of financial information, balancing cross-border digital operations with regulatory control over data sovereignty and consumer privacy. Commitments on non-discriminatory credit rating practices aim to ensure fair treatment for Indian financial institutions operating in New Zealand.

Market access commitments include enhanced foreign direct investment limits in banking and insurance, along with a liberalised bank branch licensing regime allowing up to 15 branches over four years, an increase from earlier GATS offers. Together, these measures are expected to catalyse greater bilateral investment, expand institutional presence and deepen integration between the two financial systems.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

India and New Zealand have concluded negotiations on the Financial Services Annex of the proposed India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a key step in strengthening bilateral economic and strategic ties. The talks were wrapped up on December 22, 2025, with the final round of negotiations held earlier on December 10.The Financial Services Annex is designed to create a forward-looking and mutually beneficial framework that enhances market access, regulatory cooperation and institutional linkages between the two countries. Expanding beyond standard World Trade Organization commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the annex comprises 18 articles covering a wide range of contemporary financial services issues.A major focus of the agreement is collaboration on electronic payments and real-time transaction infrastructure. Both sides have committed to working towards domestic payments interoperability and facilitating real-time cross-border remittances and merchant payments through integrated fast payment systems. This is expected to strengthen India’s digital payments ecosystem, support fintech innovation and open new opportunities for Indian payment service providers.The annex also places strong emphasis on financial technology and regulatory innovation. Provisions encourage cooperation between the two countries’ regulatory and digital sandbox frameworks, enabling knowledge exchange and cross-border experimentation while positioning India as a fintech hub within the partnership.In addition, the agreement addresses the transfer and protection of financial information, balancing cross-border digital operations with regulatory control over data sovereignty and consumer privacy. Commitments on non-discriminatory credit rating practices aim to ensure fair treatment for Indian financial institutions operating in New Zealand.Market access commitments include enhanced foreign direct investment limits in banking and insurance, along with a liberalised bank branch licensing regime allowing up to 15 branches over four years, an increase from earlier GATS offers. Together, these measures are expected to catalyse greater bilateral investment, expand institutional presence and deepen integration between the two financial systems.

Real Estate

07 Jul 2026

Pecan Realty Completes Rs 1.5 Billion Transactions

Pecan Realty has recently completed four institutional transactions worth over Rs 1.5 billion over the past two years, strengthening its position as an execution-led real estate platform. The deals include resolution-led acquisitions, structured finance transactions and capital partnerships across its development portfolio.The transactions covered acquisitions through the National Company Law Tribunal process and helped provide repayment or exits to both private and public sector lenders. The company said the deals demonstrate its ability to resolve complex project situations, work with instit..

Real Estate

07 Jul 2026

SNN Estates Expands North Bengaluru Housing Project

SNN Estates has announced an expansion of its SNN Estates Felicity residential project in North Bengaluru following strong buyer demand, with 75 per cent of the first-phase inventory sold within three days of launch.The developer will add 76 apartments in the new phase, taking the project's estimated revenue potential to around Rs 1,000 crore upon completion of Phase 2.Spread across 6.5 acres in Rachenahalli, near Manyata Tech Park, the project comprises 604 apartments in 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 BHK configurations. The development includes a 50,000-sq-ft clubhouse with amenities such as sports co..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

SCG Drives ASEAN Industrial Transformation Strategy

SCG is strengthening its focus on ASEAN as a key growth region by advancing industrial transformation, enhancing competitiveness and building resilient regional value chains. Thammasak Sethaudom, President and Chief Executive Officer, SCG, highlighted the need for industries to continuously develop capabilities, strengthen resilience and deepen regional cooperation to achieve sustainable long-term growth.SCG views ASEAN as an important growth engine alongside China, supported by favourable demographics, trade connectivity and investment flows. With ASEAN’s GDP projected to grow by around 4.7..