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The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade by removing tariffs on a wide range of goods, with industry leaders expecting strong gains across apparel, electronics, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, handicrafts and gems and jewellery.
Speaking with ANI, Vipin Vohra, Chairman of Continental Carriers Group of Companies said the trade pact would transform trade between the two countries by creating new opportunities across multiple sectors. "It is going to change the whole scene for exports and imports between India and the UK. It will be beneficial for garments, handicrafts, pharma, gems and jewellery. Everyone is positive that this will increase exports manifold," he said. Vohra also called for enhanced air and maritime connectivity, urging both governments to increase landing rights and facilitate more direct flights and shipping services to support the expected rise in trade volumes. "There should be more flights incoming and outgoing between the two countries. The governments should look into giving more landing rights between the two countries so that there will be more and more flights and more ships going directly to the UK and also to India," he added. On the other hand, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman Sakthivel described the agreement as a historic milestone for India's apparel sector, which has maintained long-standing trade ties with the UK. "It is a historical moment for apparels as India has a very long relationship with UK buyers. UK buyers were waiting for the opportunity...they started looking for us and they're already exploring the factories." Gurmeet Singh, CEO and Executive Director of the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC), said the agreement would strengthen India's electronics and technology exports while deepening integration into global supply chains. "It will help our country not only to export our electronic products, electronic components, semiconductors, electronic sub-assemblies, but will also support exports in software like AI, FinTech, and also analytic-led digital services," he said. He added that the agreement would enable UK manufacturers to integrate Indian electronic components and sub-assemblies into their products, benefiting both economies. "We'll be able to integrate in the global supply chain, including to the UK," he added. (ANI)
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