Amritsar Airport Ships First Garment Export Under India-UK Trade Pact to Birmingham
The first export consignment of ready-made garments under the newly enacted India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was flagged off today from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar. The shipment, comprising finished apparel, was dispatched directly to Birmingham, United Kingdom, aboard a scheduled Air India flight.
The departure ceremony was attended by senior officials including Aditya Singh Chauhan (Deputy DGFT), Gaurav Gupta (Assistant Director), A K Sharma (Airport Director), Varun (CSO, Airport), Azad Singh (Station In-charge, Cargo, Amritsar) and Rishabh (Import-Export Executive, Amritsar Cargo). According to the Press Information Bureau, the operationalisation of the India-UK CETA on July 15, 2026, marks a transformative step for cross-border trade between the two nations.
The agreement is expected to reduce tariffs and streamline customs procedures, benefiting exporters and importers. The garment sector, a key component of India's export basket, stands to gain significantly from improved market access to the UK. This consignment represents the first practical implementation of the pact's provisions for the textiles industry.
Amritsar Airport, which has been developed as a cargo hub for northern India, played a pivotal role in facilitating this shipment. Officials stated that the airport's infrastructure and connectivity make it an ideal gateway for trade with the UK and Europe.
