The recently inked Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom is anticipated to significantly benefit Indian industry, particularly Punjab's industrial centers like Ludhiana, where the textile and manufacturing sectors are poised for substantial growth due to the elimination of tariffs, a development hailed by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Punjab Chairman Amit Jain as a mutually advantageous "win-win" situation providing Indian exporters with a crucial competitive advantage.

Previously disadvantaged by preferential access granted to countries like Bangladesh in the UK market, Indian exporters, particularly in Ludhiana's textile and manufacturing sectors, are now set to compete on equal footing thanks to the newly established FTA, which not only removes tariffs on numerous goods and services but also fosters collaborative opportunities in joint ventures and technology, representing a strategic move towards innovation and enhanced quality, according to CII Punjab Chairman Amit Jain.

Echoing the optimistic sentiment, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President SC Ralhan highlighted the significant boost for Indian exporters, who previously faced duties ranging from 5% to 25%, as the duty-free access to the UK market will now make Indian products considerably more competitive, urging the industry to increase production to fully capitalize on this "golden opportunity" while also expressing hope for a future FTA with the European Union to unlock an even larger market.