Unprecedented Export Opportunities for Indian Exporters in the United Kingdom: Vrinda Desai

Udaipur — “The Government of India is making all possible efforts to provide alternative global markets for Indian exporters. Under the newly concluded trade agreement with the United Kingdom, exporters will now be able to ship their products to the UK at zero-duty tariffs,” informed Smt. Vrinda Manohar Desai (IRS), Additional DGFT, while addressing exporters in Udaipur.

A seminar on “India–UK Economic and Trade Agreement” was organized jointly by the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the Udaipur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (UCCI), and the Kaladwas Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI).
The seminar aimed to provide exporters of Rajasthan with direct insights into the India–UK Trade Agreement, along with central and state-level schemes designed to promote exports.

The programme commenced with opening remarks by Shri Bhupinder Singh of FIEO, who outlined the seminar’s objectives and roadmap.

Rajasthan’s Export Strength Highlighted

FIEO (Northern Region) Chairman Shri Arvind Goenka, in his welcome address, highlighted Rajasthan’s significant contribution to India’s exports—particularly in gems & jewellery, handicrafts, marble and decorative stones, textiles, engineering goods, and chemicals.
He added that the India–UK trade agreement will help reduce India’s trade deficit and emphasized that the true benefits of any foreign trade agreement reach entrepreneurs only when they are effectively implemented on the ground.

He also referred to the proposed Export Promotion Mission approved by the Union Cabinet and briefly outlined FIEO’s initiatives to support exporters.

Government Measures Bring Relief to Traders

UCCI President Shri Manish Galundia, referring to his recent meeting with Union Commerce Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, stated that the government has approved a ₹20,000 crore relief package in view of the US–India trade situation.
He mentioned that the Jan Vishwas Bill-3 will soon come into force, simplifying complex compliance processes and eliminating 396 obsolete laws to improve the ease of doing business.

He emphasized that UCCI is committed to contributing to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 by boosting South Rajasthan’s economic growth.

Galundia added that Southern Rajasthan is witnessing unprecedented opportunities due to rising global demand for marble, minerals, handicrafts, engineering goods, agro-products, textiles, and chemicals.
The proposed India–UK Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement is expected to provide a major boost by reducing tariffs, improving market access, enabling mutual recognition of standards, and most importantly, helping MSMEs access high-value international markets.

UCCI aims to establish Udaipur as an emerging Export Hub, with export facilitation cells, regular workshops with DGFT and DIC, support for first-time exporters, and skill development in documentation, packaging, and compliance.

UCCI also urged DGFT to simplify compliance further for MSMEs and to introduce special incentives for product diversification, packaging, branding, and exports of rural and tribal products of Mewar.

KCCI Calls for Higher Incentives

KCCI President Shri Girish Sharma called for enhanced incentives for regional export sectors including marble, handicrafts, engineering goods, chemicals, and textiles.

India–UK Agreement to Transform Export Landscape

Introducing the chief guest, Bhupinder Singh paved the way for the keynote address by Smt. Vrinda Manohar Desai (IRS), Additional DGFT, who elaborated on Rajasthan’s export profile and the pivotal role foreign trade plays in India’s economic growth.

She noted that Rajasthan’s contribution to national GDP has increased from 15% to 46%.
She stated that the India–UK Trade Agreement is likely to come into effect within 3–4 months after approval by both houses of the UK Parliament.

Key highlights shared by her included:

• Export duty on processed food products to be reduced from 70% to 0%

• Export of honey from India to the UK attracts 0% duty, compared to 16% charged from other countries

• A budget allocation of ₹25,060 crore for export promotion for the six years beginning 2025–26

She also elaborated on central export promotion schemes through a detailed slide presentation.

Technical Insights on Agreement

FIEO DDG Shri Ashish Jain presented a detailed slide show explaining major provisions of the India–UK Trade Agreement, its impact on trade and services, and emerging opportunities for businesses.

Encouraging Youth & MSMEs

District Industries Centre GM Shri Shailendra Sharma urged young entrepreneurs to promote Made in India products and outlined state-level export promotion schemes, encouraging exporters to benefit from them.

During the interactive Q&A session, exporters received detailed responses to their queries from FIEO and DGFT officials.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Bhupinder Singh.