According to the organization’s leader promoting bilateral trade, the proposed comprehensive free trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom, which is anticipated to be signed by the end of next month, could hasten joint ventures and increase bilateral investments.
To meet the deadline of Diwali, the Indian festival of lights falling on October 24, negotiation teams were working through the night, according to Richard Heald, executive chair of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC). Political leaders had already given their approval, he added.
Also Read,
India Urges Cuba To Trade In Indian Rupee In An Internationalization Effort Of The Currency
“Negotiations teams no more have negotiation rounds; they are working 24X7” to finalize the pact, he said in an interview.Â
He stated that once the agreement was signed, UK businesses looked forward to working with Indian businesses in renewable energy, automobiles, education, health care, and defense.
Earlier this month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his British counterpart Liz Truss and discussed ways further to advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in all areas.
Also Read,
India’s Mahindra & Mahindra Plans To Raise $500 Mln To Funds Its EV Plans; Reports
- India anticipates increased food, jewelry, textiles, and leather exports along with more visas for students and businesses.
- In the fiscal year 2021–2022, which ended in March, India’s exports of goods to the UK increased by over 28% to $10.5 billion, while imports increased by $7 billion.
- Negotiations for the trade agreement, which aims to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, began in January this year between the two countries.
In addition to “sensitive” issues of data protection, UKIBC advises both nations on trade and anticipates that the agreement will address non-trading barriers and make doing business easier.
“I can see there could be a chapter on continuing progress on ease of doing business, which would certainly focus on areas such as deregulation.”
According to him, top Indian businesses have already established research and design centers in Britain to create their technologies, particularly for the batteries used in electric vehicle batteries and other fields like health care.
“It is that sort of facilitation that FTA can stimulate.”
Also Read,