UK Deputy High Commissioner Highlights Growing British Investment in India Post Free Trade Agreement

Gandhinagar, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The UK Deputy High Commissioner, Steve Hickling, addressed the media in Gandhinagar on October 14, emphasizing the positive impact of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on businesses in both countries. He noted that British companies are increasingly investing across various industries in India.

Hickling explained that the FTA facilitates reduced or eliminated tariffs on 99% of product lines imported from India to the UK and 90% of those coming from the UK to India. “These benefits are already being realized by companies,” he stated. He observed a growing interest among Indian firms in collaborating with the UK and British companies eager to operate and sell in the Indian market.

The Deputy High Commissioner highlighted significant investments from the UK in India, mentioning that British firms are involved in various sectors. For instance, JCB is manufacturing machinery in India. He also pointed out substantial investments from UK companies in the GIFT City project, which includes banks, financial services, and two universities establishing campuses there. Hickling expressed confidence that this trend of investment will continue to grow.

Additionally, he remarked that the partnership between India and the UK is at an all-time high, particularly following the FTA’s signing on July 14. Hickling recently met with three ministers and seven mayors from Northern England in Delhi to discuss leveraging the agreement for mutual benefits.