Tirupur knitwear exporters urge PM to start FTA negotiations with UK

KOCHI: Tirupur Exporters’ Association has requested the Prime Minister to direct the Commerce Ministry to take necessary steps to commence negotiation with the UK for a free trade agreement (FTA) to boost exports including garments.

The association president A Sakthivel in a letter to Prime Minister has said it is appropriate time for India to start negotiations with the UK for FTA. "India being a favoured nation to the UK could clinch the deal," he said.

He said India has been facing a lot of issues including movement of professionals, which have stunted the negotiations to have FTA with EU, which consists of 28 countries including the UK. By starting the negotiations with the UK immediately for FTA, India could get the early bird advantage, he said.

In the garment sector, India’s export share to the UK is 10.62 per cent amounting to Rs 11,798 crore out of total garment exports of Rs 1,11,178 crore. The UK occupies the number one position among the EU countries in the garment exports, he said.

Tirupur is the knitwear manufacturing hub of India exporting Rs 23,000 crore worth garments a year.