Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 13: The proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union is set to open up significant new avenues for Indian startups in European markets. This promising outlook was highlighted by representatives from four European nations at Huddle Global 2026, Kerala’s premier startup festival.
Diplomats from Italy, Finland, Switzerland, and Wales actively sought partnerships with Indian companies across technology, research, and medical technology sectors during the event, organized by the Kerala Startup Mission. Walter Ferrera, Consul General of Italy, expressed strong optimism, stating that Indian startups would gain substantially once the India-EU FTA is finalized, which he anticipates soon. He underscored Italy’s industrial strength and invited Indian tech firms to collaborate, emphasizing that such partnerships would also provide access to the broader European market.
Petra Theman, Consul General of Finland, reiterated her country’s eagerness to engage with Indian enterprises, particularly in technology and innovation. Drawing parallels with Nokia’s global success, she stressed that innovation-driven partnerships, rather than visa reforms, should be the cornerstone of India-Finland relations.
Dr. Angela Honegger, Consul General of Switzerland, noted that despite not being an EU member, Switzerland already has an independent FTA with India. She highlighted robust academic and research ties, citing Swissnex as a key facilitator, and identified collaborative research on hospital superbugs as a potential area. Eoghan O’Regan, representing the Welsh government, showcased Wales’s strong medical technology sector, inviting Indian startups for partnerships that could also serve as a gateway to the UK market. The session was moderated by Venu Rajamani, former Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands.
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