As India and the United Kingdom have already signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), optimism is running high about the opportunities it could unlock across sectors and regions. For Odisha—a state already charting a path of sustainable, above-average economic growth—the agreement is poised to become a powerful catalyst for industrial expansion, global integration, and skills development.
During his 17th visit to Odisha, Andrew Fleming, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata, spoke at length about the transformative potential of the India–UK FTA and why Odisha stands to gain significantly from it.
Describing the agreement as both ambitious and comprehensive, Fleming underscored its scale and intent.
Spanning more than 20,000 pages and covering innumerable chapters, the FTA aims to dismantle trade barriers, simplify regulations, and foster deeper collaboration between the two nations.
For Odisha, one of the most immediate beneficiaries is expected to be the seafood sector. Despite the state’s strong production base and export potential, access to the UK market has historically been fraught with regulatory complexity.
Fleming acknowledged that exporting seafood to the UK had been “extremely difficult” in the past, but noted that the FTA promises to make these processes far less complicated. With reduced barriers and clearer pathways to market, Odisha’s seafood industry could significantly expand its presence in the UK, emerging as one of the “big winners” of the agreement.
"In the past... it was extremely difficult to export to the UK and this agreement holds the promise that it should make things much less complicated," he said.
“Seafood is one of the big winners from this agreement as well and I know you have a big seafood industry,” said the British Deputy High Commissioner.
Equally promising are the prospects for Odisha’s vibrant MSME ecosystem, particularly its globally admired handicrafts and creative industries. The zero-duty regime on exports to the UK is expected to dramatically improve the competitiveness of Odia products.
According to Fleming, the elimination of duties will make these goods “far more competitive” than before, offering a direct boost to artisans, weavers, and small entrepreneurs whose livelihoods depend on access to international markets.
Beyond traditional goods, the FTA also opens strategic avenues in advanced and future-facing sectors. As India identifies a critical mineral corridor with Odisha at its core, the agreement creates space for high-tech collaboration between the two countries. The UK’s long-standing expertise in advanced materials research could align with Odisha’s mineral wealth through partnerships between British universities and local academic institutions. Such collaboration forms a key pillar of the UK–India Vision 2035, which places technology, innovation, and research-driven growth at the heart of bilateral relations.
Importantly, the FTA’s impact is not limited to goods and industry; it also places people and services at the centre of economic cooperation. To ensure Odisha can fully leverage the opportunities arising from the agreement, the UK has stepped up its engagement in skilling and capacity-building initiatives within the state.
A notable example is the launch of a Cambridge Assessment Centre in Bhubaneswar, aimed at providing globally recognised English language certifications. By strengthening communication and vocational skills—especially among women and rural communities—these initiatives enhance Odisha’s attractiveness as a destination for international technology and service-sector investments.
Clean energy and sustainable development form another critical dimension of the partnership. The UK is already collaborating with the Odisha government on net-zero planning and sustainable urban transport solutions for Bhubaneswar, drawing on expertise from institutions such as the Coventry City Council. The arrival of IMAT, a green engineer accreditation organisation, further signals the professionalisation of Odisha’s green workforce. Together, these efforts ensure that the state’s industrial and urban growth remains aligned with global climate commitments—an increasingly important factor in international trade and investment decisions.
Fleming also emphasised that the India–UK FTA is inherently a two-way agreement. While it will enable British companies to compete for high-value tenders in India, it equally encourages successful Odia businesses to invest, expand, and establish a presence in the UK.
Investment, he noted, tends to flow in both directions when confidence and opportunity are strong.
"It's very much a two-way thing. If you're doing business and investing in a particular place, it also tends to flow in the other direction," he said.
Reflecting on Odisha’s trajectory, the British Deputy High Commissioner expressed confidence in the state’s future.
With expectations of sustained and considerable above-average growth over the next decade, Odisha presents clear opportunities for deeper UK engagement. Backed by positive sentiment, strong institutional ties, and a comprehensive trade agreement on the horizon, the India–UK partnership appears well positioned to unlock a new phase of economic transformation for the state.
"This state... is probably going to see sustainable and quite considerable above average growth over the next decade. And I think there are definite opportunities for the UK to increase its engagement here," he said.
