The implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is expected to create new growth opportunities for Kerala’s exporters, with the state already beginning to utilise the benefits of the agreement from its first day.
The first consignments from Kerala under the trade pact were dispatched immediately after the agreement came into force, marking a new phase for the state’s export sector.
Kerala’s food processing industry is expected to be among the biggest beneficiaries of the agreement. With a large Malayali diaspora living in the United Kingdom, demand for Kerala’s food products is likely to receive a boost. Since a significant portion of the state’s food processing sector consists of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the agreement could create opportunities for thousands of small businesses.
Seafood exporters are also expected to gain from improved market access. On the first day of the agreement’s implementation, seafood consignments from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi were shipped to the UK under the new trade framework, becoming among the first exports from Kerala to benefit from the agreement.
Apart from seafood and food products, sectors such as textiles and footwear are also expected to benefit from reduced trade barriers and improved access to the UK market.
The India-UK trade agreement provides wider opportunities for Indian exporters by reducing tariffs and creating a more favourable environment for bilateral trade. For Kerala, the agreement is expected to strengthen export growth, support local industries and help MSMEs expand their presence in international markets.
