Duty-Free Access Under India-UK FTA To Unlock Apparel Export Opportunities: AEPC

New Delhi, Jun 19 (KNN) The India-UK free trade agreement is expected to provide significant opportunities to domestic apparel exporters by extending duty-free access to the British market, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said on Thursday.

AEPC noted that the duty-free access will enhance the competitiveness of Indian products in one of the world's largest and most discerning consumer markets. 

AEPC Chairman A Sakthivel said, "For India's apparel industry, the agreement is expected to unlock substantial opportunities by providing duty-free market access," as quoted by PTI. 

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into force from July 15. 

Indian exporters to gain competitive edge

Sakthivel noted, “The agreement will provide a significant competitive advantage to Indian exporters by eliminating tariff barriers and creating a level playing field in the UK market,” he said, adding that it has the potential to substantially increase India’s apparel exports to the UK, attract fresh investments, and generate large-scale employment.

He emphasised that the pact will open a new chapter of growth for India's labour-intensive apparel sector and support manufacturing expansion. 

Sakthivel noted that the UK remains among India's most important apparel export destinations, with considerable untapped potential, and that the duty-free access secured under the agreement is expected to improve price competitiveness, facilitate deeper market penetration and help Indian exporters secure a larger share of the UK's apparel imports.

India's apparel exports to the UK currently stand at approximately USD 1.4 billion, against the UK's total global apparel imports of USD 19.84 billion.

(KNN Bureau)