Piyush Meets Global CEOs in Paris to Boost EV & Renewable Energy Investments
- Piyush Goyal met global CEOs to discuss investments in India’s EV and renewable energy sectors.
- Talks with Oman on a free trade agreement are progressing, aiming for early conclusion.
- The minister’s France visit includes bilateral meetings and engagements with major French companies, followed by a trip to Italy.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with top global CEOs in Paris on Monday to discuss future investment opportunities in India’s rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy (RE) sectors. The minister’s visit to France is part of an official trip aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties, including participation in a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
During the visit, Goyal held a key meeting with Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, where both leaders exchanged views on India’s emergence as a major automobile manufacturing hub, especially in the electric vehicle space. The discussions highlighted India’s potential to become a global EV manufacturing center, driven by favorable policies and market demand.
Goyal also met Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of EDF, a state-owned energy provider, to discuss India’s growing leadership in renewable energy and explored ways to integrate sustainable energy solutions more deeply into India’s development plans. Additionally, the minister engaged with Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, discussing the company’s future investment plans in India and opportunities for collaboration in the renewable energy sector.
In another significant update, Goyal indicated progress in the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Oman. Talks, initiated in November 2023, are advancing steadily, with India expected to finalize the pact soon. The minister had earlier visited Oman in January to boost bilateral economic ties.
Over his three-day visit to France, Goyal is also scheduled to meet French economic and trade ministers and leaders from major French firms such as Vicat, L’Oreal, Valeo, and ATR. Following his engagements in France, the minister will travel to Italy to continue efforts to enhance Indo-European economic cooperation.
