Following the recent signing of the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Indian government has unveiled a sweeping nationwide outreach initiative to ensure widespread industry awareness and effective implementation. Over the course of 20 days, the government will conduct 1,000 outreach programmes involving workshops, stakeholder consultations, and sectoral briefings to educate exporters, MSMEs, state officials, and trade associations on the benefits and mechanics of the new deal.
Goal of the Outreach Campaign
The initiative is designed to:
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Educate businesses and trade bodies on tariff reductions, rules of origin, and compliance procedures
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Promote maximum utilisation of duty-free market access offered by the UK under the deal
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Provide guidance to state-level exporters, especially in priority sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, leather, and IT services
Senior government officials, including Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, will lead key events and consult with stakeholders in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Karnataka to accelerate local readiness and awareness.
Significance of the FTA
The India–UK FTA represents a major step in India’s trade diplomacy, offering:
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Zero-duty access to 99% of Indian exports to the UK, including key labor-intensive sectors
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Simplified customs procedures and mutual recognition of product standards
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Enhanced market entry for Indian service providers, including in legal, architecture, education, and fintech
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Provisions for temporary movement of professionals, with social security exemptions to avoid double contributions
The agreement is expected to increase bilateral trade to over $56 billion by 2030, boosting jobs and competitiveness for Indian industries.
Sector-wise Support and MSME Engagement
A significant part of the campaign focuses on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which often lack the legal and procedural knowledge to benefit from FTAs. The outreach includes:
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Workshops explaining how MSMEs can comply with rules of origin and claim preferential tariffs
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Case studies of successful FTA-driven exports
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Direct engagement with industry chambers, export promotion councils, and local trade bodies
By involving MSMEs early, the government aims to ensure they are not left behind in the formalisation and globalisation wave.
Addressing Implementation Challenges
While the deal opens up significant opportunities, it also poses challenges. These include:
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Initial loss in customs revenue due to tariff reductions
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Need for capacity-building in customs administration
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Ensuring standardisation and quality compliance by Indian exporters for UK markets
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Continuous monitoring of trade imbalances and potential misuse
The outreach campaign seeks to equip industries with the tools and knowledge to overcome these challenges and benefit sustainably.
Strategic Importance
This FTA is not just about commerce—it reflects a deepening strategic and economic partnership between India and the UK. It aligns with India’s broader trade strategy to:
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Reduce dependence on single markets
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Diversify export destinations
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Secure access to high-value sectors in developed economies
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Strengthen its global supply chain position in a post-pandemic, multipolar world
By launching 1,000 outreach programmes across India, the government is taking a proactive, inclusive approach to ensure that the benefits of the India–UK FTA are not just policy on paper but practical opportunities on the ground. With active participation from industries, state governments, and trade experts, the initiative promises to empower Indian exporters—particularly MSMEs—to step confidently into a new era of global trade partnerships.
