GA-Alliance and ICCI Brought India Market Expertise to Milan Roundtable
On April 22, 2026, GA-Alliance, the international legal and tax advisory firm based in Corso Europa 12, hosted Unlocking the Indian Market: A Strategic Roadmap for EU Businesses — a focused roundtable designed to help Italian and European companies navigate the opportunities and complexities of the Indian market.
The event arrived at a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship. The conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January 2026 — described by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the “mother of all deals” — covers a population of two billion consumers and encompasses approximately 25% of global GDP and one-third of global trade. For Italian exporters and investors, the practical implications are significant: more than 96% of EU exports to India will see reduced or eliminated tariffs, generating an estimated €4 billion in annual duty savings.
India and Italy have also reaffirmed a bilateral trade target of €20 billion by 2029, closely linked to the implementation of the FTA. Growth potential spans agri-food, infrastructure, transport, and high-tech sectors including space, defence, and AI applied to robotics and manufacturing.
The roundtable addressed how companies can leverage the FTA to optimize tariffs and simplify customs, choose the right corporate structures for market entry, and manage local compliance, with a dedicated focus on de-risking investments and navigating India’s legal and fiscal systems.
The panel brought together an exceptional mix of institutional, legal, and business voices: Francesco Sciaudone, Global Managing Partner of GA-Alliance; Lavanya Kumar, Consul General of India in Milan; Carolina Lonetti, Chief Export and Soft Loans Officer at SIMEST; Luciano Pettoello Mantovani, Secretary General of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Italy; Tasneem Ravindra Deo, Associate Professor of Law at National Law University Delhi; and Satinder Kapur, Managing Partner of GA-Alliance India.
The workshop concluded with a light cocktail, giving attendees the opportunity to continue discussions informally with the speakers.
