New Delhi, July 15: India and the UK have initiated their Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the first export shipments departing for the United Kingdom from Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
The inaugural shipments from Telangana were dispatched from Hyderabad, while a flag-off ceremony took place in Sanand near Ahmedabad. The event was attended by Rahul Singh, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, and Steve Hickling, Deputy High Commissioner of the UK.
At the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Sanatnagar, Krishna Aditya, Special Secretary of the Industries and Commerce Department of Telangana, emphasized that this agreement marks a significant step in the economic relationship between India and the UK. He noted that Indian exporters will gain better access to the UK market. The reduction of tariffs on several products will enhance the competitiveness of Telangana’s exporters in the global market, opening new opportunities for export-oriented industries.
Dr. Sampat Kumar, Additional Director General of Foreign Trade in Hyderabad, stated that various products will benefit from reduced tariffs under the India-UK CETA. This will create new and improved export opportunities for Indian companies in the UK market.
Bhavani, Secretary of the National Turmeric Board, mentioned that the agreement will benefit not only large industries but also small and medium enterprises. She highlighted that Telangana is already strong in sectors like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics, and food processing, positioning the state to take full advantage of these new opportunities.
RP Naidu, Regional Head of APEDA for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, noted that the agreement will significantly benefit the export of agricultural products, processed foods, dairy products, sweets, and millets under APEDA.
Siddharth Vishwanathan, Head of Trade and Investment at the UK High Commission, described the agreement as historic. He stated that it would simplify trade processes, improve market access, streamline customs procedures, and ease documentation requirements, thereby boosting trade and investment between India and the UK.
The CETA is expected to provide substantial benefits to Telangana’s export-oriented industries. The agreement includes incentives such as reduced tariffs, improved market access, simplified customs processes, and better regulatory alignment.
The UK is one of Telangana’s key export markets. In the fiscal year 2025-26, exports from Telangana to the UK reached approximately $402.5 million, primarily consisting of pharmaceuticals, organic products, electronic devices, electrical equipment, chemicals, engineering goods, and medical devices.
The elimination or significant reduction of tariffs on several products will make Telangana’s goods more competitive in the UK market, particularly in pharmaceuticals, life sciences, electronics, engineering, chemicals, food processing, and agriculture. This will provide small and medium enterprises with opportunities to connect with the global supply chain, increase investment in export-oriented production, and create new jobs.
Celebratory events were also held in Nizamabad and Hyderabad to mark the implementation of the agreement. In Nizamabad, District Collector Ila Tripathi flagged off a rice export shipment from Shri Gajanan Industries in the presence of APEDA and Spices Board officials. Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, Sambhaji Chavan, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, collaborated with APEDA officials to send off a shipment of food products exported by Fumer Agri Foods Private Limited.
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