UK PM Keir Starmer visits Mumbai: Here's why Scotch whisky is in the spotlight

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer begins a twoday visit to India on Wednesday with the Scotch whisky industry in the spotlight as a big winner of the IndiaUK Free Trade Agreement FTA which the UK government expects will grow the Scottish economy by 190 million pounds a yearDowning Street said Scotch Whisky Association members and producers are part of Starmers trade mission to explore firsthand a potential increase in whisky sales to India worth an estimated 1 billion pounds a year creating more than 1000 new UK jobsAccording to officials here Starmers first Indian visit as UK PM will include key meetings with senior Indian government ministers and businesses to deepen bilateral trade and diplomatic relationships that will benefit all parts of the United KingdomThe historic trade deal the UK government struck with India this year is great news for Scotland and especially our whisky industry but having secured the deal our challenge and responsibility now is to put this deal into action said Douglas Alexander UK Secretary of State for ScotlandLeading this trade mission the Prime Minister will be beating the drum for Scotlands finest products With the strength and support of the UK government they can be worldreaching in terms of export markets said the ministerScotch whisky is among the products to see Indian import tariffs considerably slashed once the FTA known as the IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA completes its British Parliament ratification process next yearDelivering liberalised tariffs on all our exports to India will open up access to the worlds largest whisky market in the years to come and give greater choice to Indian consumers said Mark Kent Chief Executive at the Scotch Whisky AssociationThe deal is a good example of the government working closely with industry to provide longterm strategic opportunities as we similarly hope to work with the government to help us weather the immediate strong headwinds facing the industry he saidThe UK government is keen to highlight that the benefits of the landmark CETA agreement reached during Prime Minister Narendra Modis UK visit in July will boost economic growth across all parts of the country boosting export opportunities for other iconic Scottish products such as shortbread and popular fizzy drink Irn Bru as wellThis deal with India could be transformative for the industry over the long term On this trade mission we will be looking to take full advantage of the opportunities this crucial trade deal brings for Scotland added Douglas Alexander who was Trade Minister when the FTA was finalised two months agoBusiness and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle and Investment Minister Lord Jason Stockwood are among the UK ministers joining Starmers delegation to India where the focus will be on the implementation of the CETA The British governments analysis indicates the agreement will increase bilateral trade by 255 billion pounds hike UK GDP by 48 billion pounds and boost wages by 22 billion pounds every year in the long runThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever