HOME > MARKETS > ECONOMY NEWS
  ECONOMY NEWS
ECONOMY
India-UK FTA to help double country’s RMD exports to UK in next 3 years: AEPC
May-08-2025

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman Sudhir Sekhri has said that the free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK will help double India's ready-made garment exports to Britain in the next three years, despite of demand contraction in major economies owed to Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel-Hamas war, American reciprocal tariff and Chinese belligerence, creating uncertainty and adversely disrupting the global trade. He added that 'this deal has come as a boon, removing immediately tariff disadvantage of 9.6 per cent and making the country competitive in the UK market, which will make the Made in India ready-made garment (RMG) cheaper on UK shelves and will keep country’s product at par with some of major competitors who enjoyed duty-free access in the UK market'.  

India is the fourth largest supplier of garments with a 6.1 per cent share of the total RMG import of the UK, while China being the top supplier followed by Bangladesh and Turkey. During 2024-25, country’s exports to the UK grew 7.8 per cent to $1.4 billion. The top products imported by the UK from India includes t-shirts, singlets and other vests of cotton, knitted or crocheted; women's or girls' dresses of cotton; babies' garments and clothing accessories of cotton, knitted or crocheted. Emphasizing the significance of the deal he added that the deal offers a huge opportunity, coupled with the complementary nature of the two economies and synergy across sectors which will help in rapid growth and expansion of apparel business by providing a competitive edge over competing countries.

AEPC Vice Chairman A Sakthivel said that the FTA is expected to pave the way for long-term growth, attract investment, and create a more favourable business environment for textile stakeholders in both countries. He added that 'by unlocking new export opportunities, reducing trade barriers, and enabling greater access to the premium UK market, this agreement promises to empower Indian weavers, manufacturers, and exporters across the value chain'.

  RELATED NEWS >>