India, UK Sign Trade Pact Giving 99 per cent Exports Duty-Free Access

26 Jul 2025 CW Team

CETA represents India’s most comprehensive trade pact with a developed economy to date and is aimed at doubling bilateral trade, currently valued at nearly USD 56 billion, to USD 112 billion by 2030.

The agreement provides duty-free access to 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK, covering nearly the entire trade basket. This will significantly benefit labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, marine products, footwear, sports goods, toys, and gems and jewellery, along with fast-growing industries like engineering goods, auto components, and organic chemicals.

India’s services sector stands to gain substantially. Market access has been expanded in IT and IT-enabled services, finance, law, education, and digital trade. The agreement includes liberalised visa provisions for Indian professionals such as architects, chefs, engineers, yoga instructors, and musicians, making it easier to work in the UK.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called the CETA a “milestone agreement” that supports the ‘Make in India’ initiative while safeguarding national interests. He also highlighted the introduction of the Double Contribution Convention, which will exempt Indian professionals and their employers from UK social security payments for up to three years—improving the cost competitiveness of Indian talent.

The agreement is designed to foster inclusive growth. Women and youth entrepreneurs, MSMEs, farmers, and fishermen will benefit from new market access and global value chain integration. Provisions encouraging sustainability, innovation, and reduction in non-tariff barriers have also been included.

CETA is expected to significantly increase trade volumes, generate employment, and deepen the economic relationship between India and the UK.

Image source:https://indiashippingnews.com/

India and the United Kingdom have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), marking a major step forward in economic partnership under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement was formalised by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, in the presence of both Prime Ministers.CETA represents India’s most comprehensive trade pact with a developed economy to date and is aimed at doubling bilateral trade, currently valued at nearly USD 56 billion, to USD 112 billion by 2030.The agreement provides duty-free access to 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK, covering nearly the entire trade basket. This will significantly benefit labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, marine products, footwear, sports goods, toys, and gems and jewellery, along with fast-growing industries like engineering goods, auto components, and organic chemicals.India’s services sector stands to gain substantially. Market access has been expanded in IT and IT-enabled services, finance, law, education, and digital trade. The agreement includes liberalised visa provisions for Indian professionals such as architects, chefs, engineers, yoga instructors, and musicians, making it easier to work in the UK.Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called the CETA a “milestone agreement” that supports the ‘Make in India’ initiative while safeguarding national interests. He also highlighted the introduction of the Double Contribution Convention, which will exempt Indian professionals and their employers from UK social security payments for up to three years—improving the cost competitiveness of Indian talent.The agreement is designed to foster inclusive growth. Women and youth entrepreneurs, MSMEs, farmers, and fishermen will benefit from new market access and global value chain integration. Provisions encouraging sustainability, innovation, and reduction in non-tariff barriers have also been included.CETA is expected to significantly increase trade volumes, generate employment, and deepen the economic relationship between India and the UK.Image source:https://indiashippingnews.com/

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Real Estate

06 Apr 2026

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..