New Delhi, June 23: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Tuesday that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is designed with the interests of the people in mind. This agreement will benefit Indian farmers, businesses, artisans, and the general public across the country.
In a post on the social media platform ‘X’, Goyal stated, “Access to the UK’s premium market will open up global opportunities for women entrepreneurs, youth, startups, and MSMEs. This agreement will empower marginalized groups without compromising India’s core interests.”
Goyal emphasized that this historic agreement will help Indian farmers, fishermen, artisans, and small businesses thrive on a global scale. It will also create new job opportunities and provide better quality products to the public at competitive prices.
He elaborated in a detailed article that this transformative agreement, effective from July 15, will significantly enhance the reach of Indian products in the UK market, especially in labor-intensive sectors. Approximately 99% of tariff lines will see immediate duty elimination, covering nearly 100% of trade value, thus creating substantial opportunities for Indian exporters.
Last year, the CETA was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aimed at benefiting all segments of society.
Under this agreement, farmers will gain access to premium export markets while ensuring the protection of their domestic interests. Fishermen will benefit from exporting seafood to the vast UK market. New job opportunities will arise for workers, and women entrepreneurs, youth, startups, and MSMEs will have better access to global value chains. Professionals will also enjoy enhanced mobility and recognition opportunities.
The minister stated that this agreement will provide Indian farmers with benefits comparable to or exceeding those received by European countries in many cases.
Processed products such as turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, mango pulp, pickles, and lentils will enjoy duty-free entry into the UK. This will boost agricultural exports, improve farmers’ incomes, and promote quality, packaging, and certification. Additionally, employment opportunities in various agricultural sectors will increase.
Goyal clarified that the agreement excludes India’s most sensitive agricultural sectors to safeguard domestic farmers’ interests. Dairy products, grains, millets, apples, oats, and edible oils are not included in the agreement. This reflects the government’s policy prioritizing food security, domestic price stability, and the protection of vulnerable farming communities.
He noted that duty-free access to the vast UK market will significantly boost the Indian manufacturing sector. This will strengthen traditional artisans, large factories, and regional industrial hubs in global competition.
Small businesses will also benefit as Indian products gain a competitive edge over those from other countries. Indian companies producing football, cricket equipment, rugby balls, and toys will be able to rapidly expand their operations in the UK.
Goyal mentioned that the removal of tariffs will eliminate long-standing trade barriers, particularly in labor-intensive sectors, enhancing both the competitiveness and production capacity of Indian exports.
He concluded by stating that this agreement will strengthen the country’s real economy. “From the looms of Tirupur to the labs of Bengaluru, from Surat’s diamond artisans to Hyderabad’s software experts, this agreement will impact every critical part of the country’s economy and create new avenues for growth.”
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