Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday announced the deployment of 1,000 advisory personnel across India to help businesses maximise the benefits of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which is set to come into force on July 15, 2026. He also announced the upgradation of the trade portal to provide greater support to exporters and industry.
Speaking during the 10th Annual UK-India Week in London, Goyal said the agreement, India’s most comprehensive free trade pact to date, is expected to boost bilateral trade by GBP 25.5 billion annually. Addressing the India Global Forum (IGF) Capital Frontiers Forum and other high-level engagements, the minister said the India-UK partnership has expanded beyond trade into strategic sectors such as technology, sovereign AI, critical minerals, defence and clean energy. H
The Commerce Minister highlighted regional partnerships, including Birmingham-Gujarat and Manchester-Maharashtra, as key drivers of future economic growth. Goyal also noted that the CETA provides eligible Indian professionals working in the UK with a five-year exemption from social security contributions, allowing them to channel those savings into tax-free provident fund accounts in India.
Urging businesses to seize emerging opportunities, he said India offers a stable and trusted environment for investment and innovation, and encouraged companies to showcase Brand India globally while strengthening trade and investment ties with the United Kingdom.
