PA says industry could benefit 'significantly' from UK trade deal with India

The Publishers Association (PA) says the industry could benefit "significantly" from a new UK trade deal with India.

Today (13th January) the UK and India launched negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement at an event in New Delhi. The government says the deal has the potential to "almost double UK exports to India" and boost trade by £28bn a year by 2035.

Dan Conway, director of external affairs at the PA said: “India is a hugely important trading partner for UK publishers so the industry could stand to benefit significantly from expanded trade and closer collaboration brought about by a prospective trade deal. Working together even more closely, particularly on intellectual property and enforcement, offers significant opportunities for the UK and our Indian partners.

“We will be following the process closely and feeding directly into the negotiations through the Publishers Association’s seat on the Creative Industries Trade Advisory Group, which seeks to support UK officials in their efforts to secure the best possible deal for the book industry.”

International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: "A deal with India is a golden opportunity to put UK businesses at the front of the queue as the Indian economy continues to grow rapidly. By 2050 India will be the world’s third largest economy with a middle class of almost 250 million shoppers. We want to unlock this huge new market for our great British producers and manufacturers across numerous industries from food and drink to services and automotive.

"As an independent, deal-making nation the UK is broadening our economic horizons and forging stronger partnerships with the fastest-growing economies of the world. India marks the start of our ambitious five-star year of UK trade and will show how the deals we negotiate will boost the economies across all nations and help level up all regions of the UK."