IT Sector
Indian IT firms have given away more than $1 billion in taxes due to the current provisions in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Through this deal, an amendment has been passed by the Australian Parliament to the DTAA, thus putting an end to the longstanding tax issue!
Most Indian IT firms in Australia perform some of the work on-site, and some from India. Previously, work done from India was also taxed as per local Australian laws. This income was taxed in India too. With the FTA in place, this is being done away with!
Pharmaceutical Sector
The trade agreement also states that Indian drugs already approved in the US and the UK will also get faster approval in Australia.
India has the highest number of US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved sites and other stringent regulatory approvals, which will yield results once the agreement is in place. In FY22, India registered pharma exports worth $387 million, which translates into a growth of 11.58%.
Labour-Intensive Industries
Having easier access to apparel, textiles, leather, footwear, gems & jewellery, furniture, machinery, and electrical goods in western markets has been India’s primary motive for signing a trade deal with most countries.
Through this deal, India will have zero duty access to Australia on 98.3% of tariff lines from the day the deal kicks in and on 100% of tariff lines within five years.
What’s the outlook on the India-Australia trade deficit?
Currently, Australia exports much more to India than it imports. In FY22, India had a trade deficit of $8.5 billion with Australia, with India importing double the worth of goods it exported to Australia. So going by the numbers, it seems that this goal is going to take a good amount of time!
