Centre Deploys 1,000 Advisors Ahead of India-UK Trade Pact

As the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) prepares to take effect on July 15, 2026 , the Centre has launched an ambitious nationwide support initiative aimed at ensuring businesses fully capitalize on the opportunities created by the pact. The government will deploy 1,000 advisory personnel across the country and upgrade its trade portal to guide exporters, MSMEs and first-time exporters through the implementation process.

Announcing the initiative during the 10th Annual UK-India Week in London, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the move would help Indian businesses maximize the benefits of what is being described as India's most comprehensive free trade agreement to date. The agreement is projected to increase bilateral trade between India and the United Kingdom by GBP 25.5 billion annually .

The advisory network is expected to provide handholding support on tariff concessions, rules of origin, export documentation, customs procedures, certification requirements and UK regulatory standards . The upgraded trade portal will serve as a digital support platform, enabling exporters to access information on market opportunities, compliance requirements and product-specific benefits under CETA.

Addressing the India Global Forum (IGF) Capital Frontiers Forum , Goyal said the India-UK partnership has expanded well beyond traditional trade and now covers strategic sectors such as technology, sovereign AI, critical minerals, defence and clean energy . He noted that the evolving relationship reflects the growing depth of economic engagement between the two countries.

At a reception hosted by the High Commission of India and FICCI , the minister welcomed one of the largest and most geographically diverse Indian business delegations to visit the UK, with strong participation from enterprises in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and several first-time exporters.

A major feature of the agreement is the accompanying Double Contribution Convention (DCC) , which grants eligible Indian professionals working in the UK a five-year exemption from social security contributions . The provision will allow them to continue investing in India's interest-bearing, tax-free provident fund system while reducing employment costs for Indian companies.

The trade pact is expected to provide duty-free access for nearly 99% of Indian exports to the UK market, benefiting sectors including textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, marine products, engineering goods and processed foods. Goyal also highlighted regional partnerships such as Birmingham-Gujarat and Manchester-Maharashtra as emerging drivers of future bilateral growth, urging businesses to leverage India's strengths in manufacturing, services and innovation to build long-term partnerships in the UK.