Trade is the cornerstone of a thriving economy breaking down barriers that hinder growth and opening doors to new opportunities. The CETA will unlock trade and economic growth, and is widely backed by large and small businesses across various sectors, including aerospace, financial and professional services, food and drink, and the automotive sector.

Agriculture          

India to get duty-free access in several agri goods in the UK, such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, turmeric, pepper, cardamom, and processed goods like ready-to-eat food, mango pulp, pickles, and pulses. Over 95% of agricultural and processed food tariff lines will attract zero duty. Duty-free access is expected to boost agri exports by over 20% in the next three years, contributing to India’s goal of $100 billion agri-exports by 2030.  

Marine

Despite the UK’s $5.4 billion marine import market, India's share remains at just 2.25%, underscoring a significant untapped opportunity. Shrimp, tuna, fishmeal, and feeds, currently taxed between 4.2% and 8.5%, will become completely duty-free.  Indian firms to benefit in marine, agro and food processing sector include Avanti Feeds, LT Foods, KRBL (India Gate), Venky’s India, Hatsun Agro, and Parag Milk Foods. 

Textiles

Zero-duty market access for the textiles and clothing sector accounts for 1,143 tariff lines.  India is facing a duty disadvantage vis-a-vis Bangladesh, Pakistan and Cambodia, which had duty-free access to the UK market. In textiles and clothing, while the UK’s total imports ($26.95 billion) are lower than India's global exports ($36.71 billion), India still supplies worth only $1.79 billion to the UK. 

Sectors poised for exponential growth include ready-made garments, home textiles, carpets, and handicrafts, where the removal of duties creates immediate and substantial competitive advantages. India is expected to gain at least 5% additional market share in the UK within 1 to 2 years. Listed Indian companies likely to benefit include, Gokaldas Exports, K.P.R. Mill, Arvind Ltd, Rupa & Company, and Lux Industries. 

Engineering

The UK is India’s 6th largest engineering export market. India's global exports are $77.79 billion, while the UK imports $193.52 billion worth of such products, yet only $ 4.28 billion comes from India, signalling strong potential for expansion.

With tariff elimination, engineering exports to the UK could nearly double in the next five years, reaching over $7.5 billion by 2029-30. Indian companies to benefit are Bharat Forge, Sundram Fasteners, Motherson Sumi, CG Power, KEC International, Greaves Cotton, Elgi Equipment, etc.

Pharma

India exports stand at $23.31 billion globally, and the UK imports were nearly $30 billion, but Indian pharma accounts for under $1 billion, indicating significant headroom for growth. Generics get the sweet medicine. Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Lupin, Cipla, Alkem Labs, and Zydus Lifesciences are expected to benefit.  

Chemicals

The FTA is anticipated to trigger a dramatic 30-40% increase in India's chemical exports to the UK, propelling figures to an estimated $650-750 million in 2025-26. In chemicals and allied products, India’s exports stand at over $40.52 bn globally, against the UK’s imports of $35.11 bn, but captures only $843 million of that market, highlighting a potential to scale up, especially with improved market access under the FTA. Aarti Industries, Navin Fluorine, Gujarat Fluorochemicals, SRF Ltd., Deepak Nitrite to benefit from the deal. 

Gems and Jewellery

India’s total gems and jewellery exports to the UK are valued at $941 million, with $400 million coming from jewellery. The FTA opens up a huge market as the UK imports approximately $3 billion worth of jewellery annually. Tariff relaxations under the FTA are projected to double India's gems and Jewellery exports to the UK within the next 2-3 years. India’s Titan Company (Tanishq), Vaibhav Global, Rajesh Exports, Kalyan Jewellers, etc., are expected to benefit from tariff elimination as the deal makes Indian jewellery cheaper compared with EU, China and other competitors.         

Leather

From 16% to zero, tariffs eliminated on India’s leather and footwear, empowering India's craftsmanship to walk tall worldwide. The FTA is projected to add 5% UK market share within 1-2 years. Exports are expected to exceed $900 million. MSMEs in hubs like Agra, Kanpur, Kolhapur, Chennai to benefit from tariff-free exports; GI protection; simplified standards. Indian companies in leather, footwear, and miscellaneous sectors to benefit include Bata India, Mirza International, British footwear brand Red Tape, Relaxo Footwears, Aditya Birla Fashion, etc.

Information Technology Firms expected to benefit include Infosys, TCS, HCL Tech, Wipro, LTIMindtree, Tech Mahindra, Persistent, and Coforge.