Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal successfully resolved a long-standing land allocation challenge faced by a major Swiss company, Endress Hauser Flowtec AG, during a live business conference, demonstrating the government’s commitment to facilitating business operations in India. The resolution was achieved in a remarkable span of just 2 hours and 34 minutes, setting an example of swift bureaucratic action and responsiveness.
The incident took place at the 18th SWISSMEM Industry Day, attended by over 1,000 representatives from Swiss industries along with a 90-member Indian business delegation. The event was part of the ongoing efforts to operationalise the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). During informal discussions earlier in the morning, a representative from Endress Hauser—a precision engineering company with over two decades of operations in Maharashtra—raised concerns about acquiring an additional 10 acres (about 40,000 square meters) of land for expanding their facility. The land in question was classified as a protected green zone, making the acquisition process lengthy and complicated.
Minister Goyal, upon learning of the matter, immediately reached out to the Secretary of Industry in Maharashtra at 11:33 a.m., providing the company’s application and supporting documents. By 2:07 p.m., approval was granted by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), with an arrangement to relocate the green zone to another location instead of cancelling it entirely. This decision ensured environmental protection while enabling the company’s expansion. The Minister publicly announced the outcome at the conference, receiving applause from attendees and using the opportunity to underline India’s ability to act swiftly in support of business growth.
Goyal emphasised that the move was a live example of India’s evolving business-friendly environment, sending a strong message to Swiss investors about the country’s readiness to deliver on its commitments. He also extended an open invitation to Swiss businesses, proposing the creation of a dedicated Swiss business enclave in India—complete with restaurants, hotels, educational institutions, and other facilities—to provide a familiar environment for Swiss nationals working in the country. The decision on its location, he stated, would be left to the Swiss business community and the Swiss government.
The Minister’s visit to Switzerland from June 9-10 was focused on enhancing India-EFTA economic ties, during which he met Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda to discuss TEPA’s implementation. Goyal also shared India’s growth story—from a $270 billion economy three decades ago to $4 trillion today—and its vision of becoming a $30-35 trillion economy by the time it celebrates 100 years of independence. The TEPA agreement, set to take effect on October 1 following ratification by all four EFTA member nations, includes commitments of $100 billion in direct investments from EFTA countries over 15 years, with the potential to create one million jobs.
Framing TEPA as not only a “Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement” but also a “Trust and Efficiency Partnership Agreement,” Goyal’s intervention and vision underscored India’s intent to position itself as a reliable and dynamic partner for global investors, particularly in high-value manufacturing and technology sectors.
