New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- The India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) will come into force on 20 October, Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday, with the pact providing duty-free access to New Zealand for 100% of Indian exports from the first day of implementation.

Goyal announced the implementation date after the two countries completed their domestic procedures for the agreement. He said India and New Zealand aim to double bilateral trade in goods and services to Rs.35,000 crore by 2030.

"A Vijay (victory) for both nations," Goyal said in a post announcing the deal.

The agreement is expected to improve market access for Indian exporters, particularly in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and appare...