Mangaluru: Karnataka is expected to be among the biggest beneficiaries of the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), said British deputy high commissioner to Karnataka and South India Chandru Iyer.Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on Thursday, Iyer said the trade agreement would open new avenues for businesses in Karnataka to access the United Kingdom (UK) market.Karnataka will take the most advantage of this deal because of the wide range of products and services it offers from across different regions, he said.Whether it is Mysore Sandal Soap, Chikkamagaluru coffee, Byadagi chillies or Channapatna toys, there are multiple opportunities for businesses to access the UK market, he said.He said the commission was promoting a ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ approach to encourage British investments in other regions.Highlighting opportunities for Dakshina Kannada, Iyer said products from the district, including cashewnuts and seafood, could find greater markets in the UK.He said he would like to see local cashewnut outlets, shrimps and local ice cream brands available in the UK.Iyer said the British Deputy High Commission, Karnataka govt and DGFT will create awareness among farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses about trade deal opportunities.He added that Karnataka is already the third largest destination for British investments in India, and expects more companies to expand their presence in the state after the trade deal.He furthermore said that people-to-people ties between Karnataka and the UK have grown significantly, with the number of weekly flights increased in last four years.He also expressed hope that British universities would explore opportunities in Dakshina Kannada, as the region has historically been strong in education.Dakshina Kannada is the land of education, banking and exports, making it an ideal place for more UK investments, he said.Iyer said the UK continues to remain a preferred destination for Indian students, with numbers remaining strong, and the UK’s Young Professionals Visa Scheme was being promoted to encourage more British youth to visit India for work, study and tourism.Responding to questions on global geopolitical uncertainties and their impact on the agreement, Iyer said the UK-India relationship remained strong.He also highlighted that for the first time, two large economies have come together with an agreement that includes chapters on gender equality, sustainability, digital trade and SMEs.Iyer said India-UK trade grew to 48 billion pounds when the deal came into effect, and is expected to add another 25 billion pounds in the long term.
