A new trade agreement that gives Australian exporters exciting opportunities in India comes into effect after Christmas. 

The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) presents India as a new market for Australian businesses and brings us closer to one of our most important Indo-Pacific partners. 

Over the next 20 years, India, a rapidly growing economy, will require many of Australia's goods and services, including agriculture, critical minerals, education and skills training and healthcare to fuel its growth. 

The AI-ECTA will grant Australian exporters a competitive edge over other exporting countries in the India market. 

It gives businesses access to preferential treatment in a market where trade was previously not economically feasible owing to high tariffs.  

From December 29, 85 per cent of Australian goods exports by value to India will enter without tariffs and an additional five per cent will have tariffs eliminated over the next 10 years.  

However, these benefits are not automatically applied to eligible shipments; Australian exporters must opt into these benefits through AI-ECTA Proof of Origin in the form of an AI-ECTA Certificate of Origin. 

Under the authority of the Australian Government, Ai Group issues AI-ECTA Certificates of Origin in accordance with the Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin Recognition Scheme, which is a regulatory framework owned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and formally administered by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).  

For more information on AI-ECTA Proof of Origin, please contact our International Trade and Export Documentation team on 1300 776 063 or send us an email

Shirley Ng

As National Manager, International Competitiveness, at Ai Group, Shirley has extensive experience in helping Australian businesses expand into international markets.

Working in a diverse range of business types and industries at both strategic and operational levels, Shirley has developed, managed and administered a range of strategic export business development & marketing programs aimed at assisting businesses achieve growth and export sustainability including understanding how to leverage Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and cross-border initiatives such as e-commerce, online platforms and marketplaces.