Indian suppliers to get non-discriminatory treatment in UK procurement mkts under FTA
Live Events(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelIndian suppliers will receive non-discriminatory treatment in the UK procurement markets under the free trade agreement signed between the two countries on Thursday, a commerce ministry official said.The official also said that India has preserved its policy space to provide preference to MSMEs under the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises Order.The government procurement (GP) chapter of the India-UK CETA ( comprehensive economic and trade agreement ) marks India's first successful negotiations of a comprehensive chapter with significant market access commitments.The chapter provides a legal guarantee for Indian suppliers to be treated on par with UK suppliers regarding social value considerations within procurement processes, ensuring a level playing field for Indian businesses to compete fairly.The official also said that India's market access commitments are limited to the Central Government Ministries/Departments, including their attached subordinate entities.Additionally, central public sector units in competition with private entities are also outside the scope of India's market access commitments made to the UK.It specifically excludes sub-central (state/local government) level procuring entities. "Indian suppliers will have guaranteed access to the UK procurements being conducted at the central level of government and some at the utilities level," the ministry official said.In 2022, these opportunities were worth about GBP 90 billion (or USD 120 billion) and included major central government entities procuring IT services, construction services, financial and insurance services.Indian suppliers will be able to participate in procurements by major government departments such as the Cabinet Office, Department for Business and Trade, National Highways, NHS Foundation Trusts (Department of Health and Social Care), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Department for Education, among others.
Source:The Times
July 25, 2025 12:01 UTC
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Tourism minister reveals a UK bank holiday could be moved
“So, in the first place, at least we know in areas like Cornwall where all the short-term lets are, and then local authorities will be able to makes decisions about how they want to progress on the back of that. The legislation’s in place and we’re doing all the IT now to get it up and running, and I hope it will be ready for April for next year’s season.”
Source:The Times
July 25, 2025 11:42 UTC
How past FTAs shaped UK deal & how UK agreement will change past pacts
It paved the way for a similar deal with the UK.In agriculture, government officials are citing the UK, European Free Trade Association (comprising Switzerland and Norway) and Australia deals to block American President Donald Trump from opening the Indian market to US dairy, maize and soybean. While pushing for the final deal with India, Australia, too, had made fresh overtures for dairy.In trade negotiations, every deal is unique, but what has been opened becomes a floor for future talks. What the other trading partner offers is also critical.The new FTAs India is signing may impact older ones. India, which wants ASEAN members, Japan and South Korea to review existing trade deals, may face fresh demands. Japan, South Korea and Thailand may seek parity on automobile tariffs under the revised pacts.India has over a dozen trade agreements, and each partner is closely watching the new ones in the pipeline.
Source:The Times
July 25, 2025 10:56 UTC
India-UK FTA a transformative moment in global economic landscape: India Inc leaders
"The landmark trade agreement between India and the UK marks a transformative moment in the global economic landscape. "Expressing similar views, Bharti Enterprises Founder & Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said Indian industry across all sectors welcomes the India-UK FTA with great optimism. It will boost economic activity and create many more jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurship in both countries. "Agarwal said he has closely seen the economic engagement between India and the UK grow substantially over the last two decades. "It creates a strong foundation for deeper market access, regulatory cooperation, and next-generation partnerships between Indian and UK businesses, he added.
Source:The Times
July 25, 2025 07:01 UTC
I’ve found the perfect day out for fans of Taskmaster
As I discovered during a drizzly Wednesday morning this week at Dover Castle in Kent, there is now an official Taskmaster English Heritage experience. The genius of Taskmaster (English Heritage edition) is that it demonstrates beyond all doubt these things are much harder in practice than in theory. AdvertisementStuart Heritage attempts to balance rubber ducks on his body as part of a challengeThis brings me to a separate complaint. Heritage with his children at the castleAs you may have guessed, I came dead last, beaten by my ten-year-old and seven-year-old. English Heritage promises that the challenges are slightly different at each site, so I might try Battle Abbey in East Sussex next — with a different adjudicator, obviously.
Source:The Times
July 25, 2025 04:02 UTC
Alexander Isak transfer news: Liverpool poised to make British record bid for Newcastle striker - Paper Talk
The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday's newspapers...DAILY MAILLiverpool are poised to make a British record bid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. THE GUARDIANAlexander Isak is open to a move away from Newcastle, with Liverpool his preferred destination. THE TIMESNewcastle have held talks with Alexander Isak this summer to make him the best-paid player in the club's history. Chelsea fans are in uproar after failing to secure tickets for the club's opening game of the Premier League season. DAILY RECORDBrendan Rodgers insists Celtic need to show ambition in the transfer market after suffering a pre-season reality check against Ajax.
Source:The Times
July 25, 2025 03:32 UTC
India-UK FTA: Zero duty to boost India's generic drug, medical device exports to Britain
Live Events(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelExports of generic medicines and medical devices like X-ray systems and surgical instruments will get a boost as Britian has agreed upon zero duty under the free trade agreement.The trade agreement between India and the UK was singed on Thursday in London in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK premier Keir Starmer. "Significant share of medical devices like surgical instruments, diagnostic equipments, ECG machines, X-Ray systems will not attract any duty," PTI reported quoting a commerce ministry official.The deal will reduce costs for Indian med-tech companies and make products more competitive in the UK market. "Given the UK's shift away from reliance on Chinese imports post-Brexit and COVID-19, Indian manufacturers are poised to emerge as a favoured, cost-effective alternative, especially with zero-duty pricing for medical devices," the official told PTI.The commerce ministry has said that zero tariff provisions under the FTA are expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of Indian generics in the UK market, which remains India's largest pharmaceutical export destination in Europe.Currently, India exports $23.31 billion globally and the UK imports nearly $30 billion, but Indian pharma accounts for under $1 billion, indicating significant headroom for growth.The pharma sector has only 56 tariff lines, which is just 0.6 per cent of the total, the document stated. Despite the small representation, pharmaceutical sector holds high value and strategic importance, especially in global trade, the document stated.India's pharmaceutical industry is the world's third largest by volume and 14th largest in terms of value. The sector's exports rose 10 per cent year-on-year to $30.5 billion in FY 2024-25.The industry is leading in the manufacture of high-quality generic drugs at competitive prices over the last 30 years.India is the largest supplier of generic medicines with a 20 per cent share in the global supply by manufacturing 60,000 different generic brands across 60 therapeutic categories.Indian products are shipped to over 200 countries around the globe, with Japan, Australia, West Europe and the US as the main destinations.The current market size of the medical devices sector in India is estimated to be $11 billion and expected to reach $50 billion by 2030.
Source:The Times
July 25, 2025 02:35 UTC
'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' takes root in UK: PM Modi gifts tree to King Charles III; sapling to be planted in autumn
Royal Staff Revolt Brewing? Gardeners Blow Whistle On Low Pay & Brutal Work HoursNEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a tree sapling to King Charles III during a visit to the monarch’s Sandringham Estate on Thursday, as part of his “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative promoting environmental consciousness in tribute to mothers.The Buckingham Palace confirmed the meeting in a statement, noting that “during their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister.”Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said the sapling will be planted on the estate during the upcoming planting season. The gifted tree, a Davidia involucrata ‘Sonoma’, commonly known as the Sonoma dove tree, is an ornamental species admired for its early and abundant flowering. Its distinctive white bracts resemble fluttering handkerchiefs or doves, making it a visual spectacle in late spring.PM Modi and King Charles are known to share a long-standing interest in holistic approaches to environmentalism, with Yoga and Ayurveda expected to have figured in their conversation.The royal audience came after Prime Minister Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at Chequers, where the two leaders finalised the much-anticipated India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) aims to boost bilateral trade and investment.“At Chequers, PM Keir Starmer and I saw an exhibition which gave a glimpse of the strong economic linkages between India and the UK. With the signing of CETA, these linkages will rise manifold,” PM Modi said.He also met business leaders and participated in a cricket interaction with players from Buckinghamshire Street Cricket Hubs, handing out a signed bat from India’s T20 World Cup-winning team.PM Modi will next travel to the Maldives, where he is the Guest of Honour for the country’s Independence Day celebrations.
Source:The Times
July 24, 2025 23:47 UTC
Book review: Christian Women in Turkey — A history: A survey of notable Christian women in Asia Minor and Anatolia from 33CE to 2021 by Rosamund Wilkinson
CLEARLY a labour of love and born of a passion for recording and celebrating women who have lived the Christian life in Asia Minor and what is now Turkey over two millennia, Rosamund Wilkinson’s information-crammed book is absorbing and just a little frustrating. More than 50 women are showcased, from Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16) to Sister Meryem NDS (born Zübeyde Ismet Faik Topuz, Istanbul, 1901, died near Marseilles, 1991). Her title allows for treatment of foreign Christian women who came to Asia Minor and Turkey, such as Florence Nightingale, and those like Sister Meryem who left it, as well as the many who were born and died within its vast geography. Movingly, Wilkinson tells the story of Araxie Jebejian, a 30-year-old Armenian “Bible woman” and teacher trained in Birmingham who was murdered in the Armenian Genocide of 1916. Christian Women in Turkey — A history: A survey of notable Christian women in Asia Minor and Anatolia from 33CE to 2021Rosamund WilkinsonEgeria Press £19.99(978-1-3999-0464-3)Church Times Bookshop £17.99
Source:The Times
July 24, 2025 23:15 UTC
Visa boost for desi professionals, chefs in trade agreement
NEW DELHI: Independent professionals as well as business visitors, company executives and investors can expect a more predictable visa regime to the United Kingdom once the trade deal signed Thursday is implemented.The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement seeks to "lock in" business mobility rules for Indian business visitors attending meetings and conferences, experienced employees, graduate trainees, investors, as well as musicians, chefs and yoga teachers. The British govt will, however, closely monitor eligibility norms to avoid a large influx.For instance, senior executives of service sector companies with branches in India and UK will get visas for three years. Last year, the UK granted 25,117 visas under the Global Business Mobility route. Like in the Australian ECTA, architectural services are now open to British firms. The UK has made offers across 12 major services sectors and 137 sub-sectors.
Source:The Times
July 24, 2025 22:45 UTC
With zero duty access, India eyes boom in key exports
Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynold during the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), in the UK. NEW DELHI: Indian negotiators are targeting labour-intensive goods and services to boost India's tiny 1.9% share of UK imports. So, readymade garments or home textiles, carpets, handicrafts and traditional items such as pashmina shawls or Kanchipuram or bandhini sarees are expected to gain. Indian exporters hope to replace competitors across a variety of engineering goods, including machinery and components, where zero-duty access will be provided to 1,659 items. With exports of $4.3 billion, India holds a small share of the $194 billion machinery imports by British businesses.
Source:The Times
July 24, 2025 22:36 UTC
Tesco brings back free fruit for kids and Clubcard changes
From August 4 until August 17, children shopping with their families in Tesco stores will be able to pick up free fruit at checkout. This continues the work of Tesco’s Stronger Starts Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, and the supermarket expects to give away over 3.5 million apples over two weeks. Millions of customers will also be offered the chance to earn extra Clubcard points and vouchers by choosing to buy more fruit and vegetables. New Clubcard Prices and offers across the summer on fruit, veg and healthy lunchbox snacks, on top of weekly Fresh 5 offers on five-a-day basics. The campaign will run across Tesco stores and online to help incentivise customers to make healthier choices through offers and recipe inspiration.
Source:The Times
July 24, 2025 22:28 UTC
Trump’s Scotland visit could be awkward for Starmer — here’s what to expect
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Source:The Times
July 24, 2025 21:34 UTC
‘Times are changing’ - Ammanford locals on library upgrade
Carmarthenshire County Council has announced plans to introduce a digitally integrated service model at Ammanford Public Library. However, not all locals are convinced the changes will meet the needs of every member of the community. Lawrence Raison thinks the digital changes will be difficult for the older generation. (Image: Newsquest) Local resident, Lawrence Raison said: “I’m not into digital stuff as it’s difficult with my eyesight. As far as I’m aware, the library is fine the way it is.
Source:The Times
July 24, 2025 21:03 UTC