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India is eyeing a preferential access for its exports of automobiles, auto components, pharmaceuticals, and several other products to the South Africa-led SACU (South African Customs Union) bloc.
Sources have indicated that India and the South Africa-led SACU bloc are likely to sign Terms of Reference for negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) on 12th August in New Delhi.
The move is expected to soothe export sentiment as South Africa is looking to increase duties on automobiles from India & China from 25% to 50%. South Africa comprises of 91% of total output of SACU bloc, which also comprises of Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini.
Last week, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had met South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry Parka Tau on the sidelines of the BRICS Trade and Industry Ministers’ Conference in Jaipur to discuss signing the Terms of Reference (ToR) for early conclusion of trade negotiations and for cooperation in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and critical minerals.
India’s total exports to SACU stood at $7.5 billion in FY 2025-26, while imports from SACU were worth $9.2 billion. India's exports to SACU include petroleum products worth $2.1 billion, automobiles worth $1.7 billion, pharma worth $763 million, along with machinery and engineering goods.
India's imports by India from SACU include gold worth $3 billion, coal & coke worth $ 2.8 billion, $638 million worth of minerals and ores, $887 million worth of precious and semi-precious stones, and copper worth $376 million.
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Sources have indicated that India and the South Africa-led SACU bloc are likely to sign Terms of Reference for negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) on 12th August in New Delhi.
The move is expected to soothe export sentiment as South Africa is looking to increase duties on automobiles from India & China from 25% to 50%. South Africa comprises of 91% of total output of SACU bloc, which also comprises of Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini.
Last week, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had met South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry Parka Tau on the sidelines of the BRICS Trade and Industry Ministers’ Conference in Jaipur to discuss signing the Terms of Reference (ToR) for early conclusion of trade negotiations and for cooperation in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and critical minerals.
India’s total exports to SACU stood at $7.5 billion in FY 2025-26, while imports from SACU were worth $9.2 billion. India's exports to SACU include petroleum products worth $2.1 billion, automobiles worth $1.7 billion, pharma worth $763 million, along with machinery and engineering goods.
India's imports by India from SACU include gold worth $3 billion, coal & coke worth $ 2.8 billion, $638 million worth of minerals and ores, $887 million worth of precious and semi-precious stones, and copper worth $376 million.
Also Read: Vodafone Idea Q1 swings to loss as one-off gain from last quarter fades; ARPU rises to ₹195
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