SWA welcomes "transformational" UK-India FTA

Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, welcomed the “transformational” deal announced by the Department for Business and Trade between the UK and India:

“The UK-India free trade agreement is a once in a generation deal and a landmark moment for Scotch Whisky to the world’s largest whisky market.

“The reduction of the current 150% tariff on Scotch Whisky will be transformational for the industry. The deal has the potential to increase Scotch Whisky exports to India by £1bn over the next 5 years and create 1200 jobs across the UK. The deal is good for India too, boosting federal and state revenue by over £3bn annually, and giving discerning consumers in a highly educated whisky market far greater choice from SME Scotch Whisky producers who will now have the opportunity to enter the market.

“This agreement shows that the UK government is making significant progress towards achieving its growth mission, and the negotiating teams on both sides deserve huge credit for their dedication. The Scotch Whisky industry looks forward to working with the UK and Indian governments in the months ahead to implement the deal which would be a big boost to two major global economies during turbulent times.”

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

For any media inquiries please contact pressoffice@swa.org.uk

Find the full announcement from the Department of Business and Trade here. 

Read more about the benefits of a UK-India Free Trade Agreement here.

CASE STUDIES

Alasdair Day, Master Distiller at R&B Distillers & Isle of Raasay Distillery tells us what the reduction of tariff and trade barriers could mean for whisky tourism and exports.

SWA export statistics are extracted from the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Overseas Trade Statistics Database. The data is collected from individual company trade declarations recording monthly export volume and value of direct shipments to each market. These figures represent the movement of shipments between the UK and other countries and do not represent sales or consumption of Scotch Whisky in those destination markets.