Marking a milestone in bilateral economic relations, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Chennai, Dr. Sutapa Chaudhary, today joined officials from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to flag off the first export consignments under the new ‘Indo-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)’.

 

The ceremony, held in Chennai, celebrates the official entry into force of the agreement, which is expected to deliver tangible benefits to the people of both nations. During her address to delegates and representatives from various export councils, Dr. Chaudhary emphasised that the CETA represents a carefully struck balance between opening new market opportunities and maintaining essential protections for sensitive domestic sectors.

 

A key feature of the agreement is the strategic protection of the Agri-food sectors in both countries. Dr. Chaudhary noted that, India has maintained protections for critical sectors including dairy, dairy products, and edible oils. She also said that the UK has retained tariffs on specific items such as sugar, milled rice, pork, chicken, and eggs for strategic economic reasons.

 

Despite these protections, the agreement significantly reduces the “mountains of paperwork” previously faced by businesses, paving the way for increased trade flow, she said. She encouraged Indian exporters to proactively expand their footprint in the British market, noting that the British Deputy High Commission is ready to provide active support. “We are here to help you navigate the UK market,” Dr. Chaudhary stated, highlighting the expertise of the High Commission’s trade team based in Nungambakkam.

 

The flag-off ceremony is viewed as only the beginning of a deeper engagement. The British Deputy High Commission has announced a series of upcoming engagements and receptions over the next six months designed to connect British businesses with partners in Tamil Nadu and facilitate a robust two-way exchange of trade and investment.