Haryana–UK Trade Bridge to Help Exporters Tap New Opportunities Under CETA

New Delhi: Haryana’s exporters and enterprises will explore ways to enter the British market, attract investment, and build international business partnerships at the “Haryana–UK Trade Bridge: Unlocking Global Opportunities – 2026”, scheduled for September 14 in Gurugram.

The meeting will bring political leadership, diplomatic engagement and industry participation together to translate the India–UK trade agreement into tangible opportunities for Haryana’s businesses. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is likely to preside over the event, along with Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh and top state government officials. 

The Foreign Cooperation Department, Government of Haryana, will organise the event in collaboration with the British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh, at Gurugram University, Sector 51. The programme will begin at 10.30 am and bring together exporters, industry leaders, business associations, policymakers and other stakeholders.

With the theme “Leveraging India–UK CETA for Trade and Export Growth,” the event will focus on how Haryana-based companies can use the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement to enter the British market, expand exports and develop new commercial partnerships.

The presence of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is expected to give the initiative added policy significance and underline the Haryana government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s international economic engagement. His participation will also provide industry representatives an opportunity to better understand the state government’s priorities concerning exports, foreign investment and global business collaboration.

The conference comes at an important stage in India–UK economic relations. India and the United Kingdom formally signed CETA on July 24, 2025, after concluding negotiations in May that year. The agreement entered into force on July 15, 2026, opening a new phase of tariff concessions and improved market access for businesses in both countries. UK government trade information describes the agreement as covering bilateral trade valued at £48 billion in 2025.

For Haryana, which has a strong presence in automobiles and auto components, engineering, textiles, garments, information technology, food processing and other manufacturing industries, the agreement could create fresh possibilities for companies seeking to diversify their overseas markets.

The Trade Bridge is expected to help businesses understand how tariff reductions, market-access provisions and new trade rules can translate into commercial gains.
Discussions will cover export growth opportunities, access to the UK market, potential British investment in Haryana and partnerships between companies from the two regions. The programme will also examine ways to deepen broader Haryana–UK economic engagement.

A key objective will be to bridge the gap between the provisions of the trade agreement and their practical use by companies, particularly exporters and smaller enterprises that may lack detailed knowledge of overseas regulations. Market access requires more than reduced customs duties. Exporters must also understand product standards, certification requirements, documentation, logistics, rules of origin and consumer expectations in the destination country.

The participation of the British Deputy High Commission is therefore expected to provide businesses with a clearer understanding of the UK commercial environment and the institutional support available to potential exporters and investors. It could also facilitate direct interaction between Haryana’s business community and British trade representatives.

The event is likely to be particularly relevant for micro, small and medium enterprises that possess competitive products but require guidance, market intelligence or reliable overseas partners before entering the UK. Business associations and industry bodies can play a supporting role by identifying export-ready enterprises and connecting them with relevant institutions.

The Haryana–UK Trade Bridge also reflects Haryana’s effort to move beyond investment promotion alone and encourage two-way economic cooperation. While the state seeks greater access for its products and services in the UK, it can also attract British companies looking for manufacturing bases, technology partnerships and access to India’s expanding domestic market.
The presence of policymakers, diplomats and business representatives on a common platform is expected to encourage discussions that lead to follow-up meetings, investment proposals and business-to-business collaborations.

Organisations have been invited to nominate representatives for the programme by providing their names, designations and contact numbers. Participants have been requested to confirm their attendance by September 12, 2026, by emailing the required details to contactusatfcd@gmail.com.