Tech supply chains set for near-term gains

NON-TARIFF BARRIERS EASED

- URVI MALVANIA

THE INTERIMTRADE frameworkis expected to ease regulatory frictionacross technology supply chains, with near-term gains likelyin telecom infrastructure, ICT (information and communication technology) hardware and advanced computing equipment,even as more complex digital policy issues remain part of wider bilateral negotiations.

Industry executives and analysts said the immediate impact would come from easing non-tariffbarriers. These processes have historicallyadded time and cost for companies supplying network equipment,data-centre hardware and specialised computing systems into India. Greater alignment with international standards is expected to improve predictabilityand lowerexecution risk for firms operating across borders.