India-UK Free Trade Agreement: Provisions to reinvent trade for women empowerment

In a first-of-its-kind chapter on ‘trade and gender’, the pact includes specific provisions for women in select sectors -- including in the small and medium enterprises (SME), intellectual property rights (IPR), digital trade, environment, labour, geographical indications (GIs), innovation and technical standards.

The CETA is expected to have a positive impact on women across sectors from the looms of Varanasi and craft clusters of Rajasthan to the tech-labs of Hyderabad and digital start-ups in Bengaluru.

Dismantled tariff barriers will allow Indian women to integrate into global value chains, access finance and scale their ventures. A tariff-free access to the UK’s $23 billion market for labour-intensive goods like textiles, leather and footwear, levels the playing field for Indian exporters, who previously faced a duty disadvantage against competitors like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Cambodia.

The pact also includes provisions for training, cooperation and skill development to support women across rural and urban India.

Trade and Gender provisions also ensure targeted support for women-led businesses. It will benefit millions of women weavers, embroiderers, dyers and designers.

IPR protection will further encourage women entrepreneurs in sectors like biotech, textiles and beauty to innovate confidently.

Geographical Indications (GIs) will further protect unique, region-specific weaves like Banarasi, Chanderi and Kanjeevaram, ensuring fair value and brand recognition for heritage crafts. CETA provisions are set to help craftsmen and artisans to access online platforms, improve quality, and manage sustainable production.