Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday launched the UK-India CETA Business Utilisation Manual – A Practical Activation Guide for Indian and UK Businesses in London, ahead of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) coming into force on July 15.
Developed jointly by the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and HSBC India, the manual is intended to help businesses in both countries understand and make effective use of the opportunities created by the landmark trade agreement.
The guide was unveiled at an event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), with support from UKIBC, bringing together senior business leaders from India and the United Kingdom.
According to an official release, the manual serves as a practical, sector-specific resource that translates the provisions of the trade agreement into actionable guidance, enabling businesses to maximise the benefits of the pact.
The release noted that the leadership of both countries has consistently stressed the importance of strengthening a forward-looking partnership built on trade, innovation and advanced defence technology. It also referred to a series of recent high-level engagements, including discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer, Starmer's visit to India in 2025, the visit of Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy two years ago, and the recent India visit of UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle.
Also read: Transformational growth key to India-UK FTA: Goyal
The release said bilateral trade between India and the UK reached approximately £47.9 billion (about USD 56-60 billion) in the four quarters ending in the fourth quarter of 2025, representing a 10 per cent increase over previous years.
Commenting on the launch, Hitendra Dave, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC India, said the bank's presence in both markets and expertise in international banking and trade finance positioned it to help businesses navigate cross-border opportunities under the new agreement.
"The CETA provides a framework for greater certainty, improved market access, and stronger commercial collaboration. I encourage you to explore this guide and use it as a starting point for action," he said.
Kishore Jayaraman, Group Chief Executive Officer of UKIBC, described the trade pact as a defining moment in the India-UK economic partnership and said the manual was the first business utilisation guide of its kind, designed to help companies fully leverage the agreement's potential.
He said UKIBC remained committed to supporting businesses and institutions in both countries as they expand trade and investment opportunities.
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