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Apparel Industry hails India- UK FTA; thanks Hon’ble Prime Minister and Commerce Minister for their relentless efforts.

New Delhi / Gurugram, 24th July 2025:
India and the United Kingdom have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday during Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s official visit to the UK. Shri Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), expressed deep gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Commerce Minister Shri Piyush Goyal for their relentless efforts in the successful conclusion of this historic deal.

Reacting to the development, Shri Sudhir Sekhri said:

“The signing of the landmark India-UK Bilateral Trade Agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening strategic and economic ties between the two nations. This deal will usher in a new era of garment trade with the UK, enhancing market access, driving investment, and creating jobs in the garment sector. It will also unlock new opportunities for businesses and consumers on both sides.”

“The India-UK FTA will offer competitive market access for Indian apparel products in the UK, while increasing trust and reliability through streamlined customs procedures and mutual recognition of standards. This will reduce compliance burdens for Indian apparel exporters. With duty-free access, we expect a renewed momentum and growth in apparel exports to the UK in the coming years. This agreement testifies to the shared commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation.”

The United Kingdom, a global fashion hub, is the fifth largest garment importer worldwide, with imports worth USD 19.7 billion in 2024. India, with its robust apparel sector, has been a trusted partner—exporting USD 1.2 billion worth of garments to the UK in 2024 and ranking among the UK’s top four suppliers.

Currently, the duty on most garment products exported to the UK stands at 9.6%. India mainly exports cotton-based garments such as t-shirts, ladies’ dresses, and babywear, but faces competitiveness challenges in winter wear and man-made fiber (MMF) garments.

This FTA is expected to bolster India’s apparel export competitiveness, spur greater economic cooperation, and solidify the longstanding partnership between India and the UK.

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