Punjab Minister Aman Arora holds UK trade talks to boost CETA investment
Synopsis
Punjab Industries Minister Aman Arora pitched the state as a zero-duty manufacturing launchpad for British businesses under the India-UK CETA, meeting a UK delegation in Chandigarh and unveiling a plug-and-play investor ecosystem backed by the new Industrial and Business Development Policy of 2026 and a dedicated FTA and Export Facilitation Cell.
Key Takeaways
Punjab Minister Aman Arora held trade talks with a British delegation at Invest Punjab, Chandigarh on 30 October 2026 .
The delegation was led by Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio of the British High Commission.
Discussions focused on agri-business, food processing, engineering, auto components and industry-linked skilling under the India-UK CETA .
The Industrial and Business Development Policy of 2026 and a dedicated FTA and Export Facilitation Cell were presented as key investor-support tools.
Both sides agreed to structured B2B interactions to convert talks into tangible investments on the ground.
Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Aman Arora on Friday, 30 October 2026, held strategic talks with a high-level British delegation at Invest Punjab in Chandigarh, positioning the state as a preferred manufacturing destination for UK businesses seeking zero-duty access under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The delegation was led by Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio and included First Secretary Trade Nicholas Gribit and senior British High Commission adviser Anup Narayan.
Key Areas of Discussion
Deliberations at the meeting centred on high-growth sectors including agri-business, food processing, engineering, auto components, and industry-linked skilling. Minister Arora showcased Punjab's industrial resurgence and its readiness to integrate with UK supply chains, emphasising the state's strategic position as a gateway to North India.
'Punjab is not just the food bowl of India, but is rapidly emerging as a hub of modern industry and innovation. Our dialogue with the UK delegation focused on leveraging vast opportunities under the India-UK CETA. Punjab's strengths in agri-business and engineering are a natural fit for UK expertise,' Arora said.
What the Government Offered UK Investors
Minister Arora detailed the Industrial and Business Development Policy of 2026, designed to create a frictionless ecosystem for global investors. He also highlighted a dedicated FTA and Export Facilitation Cell established to guide international businesses through trade agreements and maximise export potential from Punjab.
'With the Industrial and Business Development Policy of 2026 and our dedicated FTA and Export Facilitation Cell, we are offering a plug-and-play ecosystem for UK businesses to Make in Punjab for the world. The Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government is committed to being the preferred investment destination for the UK,' Arora said, adding that the partnership aims to drive industrial growth and create high-quality jobs for Punjab's youth.
State's Investment Readiness
Industries and Commerce Administrative Secretary Basant Garg underscored the state's seamless market access, logistics connectivity, and skilled workforce as core attractions for British businesses. He emphasised that the FTA and Export Facilitation Cell will provide end-to-end support for regulatory compliance, market linkages, and export promotion under the CETA framework.
The British delegation expressed keen interest in Punjab's skilled workforce and the state's efforts to align skilling programmes with specific industry requirements, particularly in manufacturing and food processing.
Next Steps
Both sides agreed to maintain sustained engagement and facilitate structured business-to-business interactions between Punjab industry and British businesses to convert discussions into on-the-ground investments. This comes amid broader momentum around the India-UK CETA, which offers zero-duty access that could significantly benefit manufacturers operating out of Punjab for UK-bound exports.
Point of View
Skilled manufacturing base is a compelling offer — but the proof will be in binding investment commitments, not expressions of 'keen interest.' The state's FTA and Export Facilitation Cell is an institutional bet that clarity and hand-holding can substitute for scale; whether UK firms find it persuasive against competing claims from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu remains the real test.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Punjab Minister Aman Arora meet the British delegation?
Minister Arora met the British delegation to position Punjab as a prime manufacturing base for UK businesses that can leverage zero-duty access under the India-UK CETA. The talks aimed to attract UK investment into sectors such as agri-business, food processing, engineering, and auto components.
What is the India-UK CETA and why does it matter for Punjab?
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) provides zero-duty market access for goods traded between India and the UK. For Punjab, it creates an opportunity to attract UK firms that want to manufacture in India and export to Britain without tariff barriers, making the state's agri-business and engineering base especially competitive.
What is the Industrial and Business Development Policy of 2026?
It is a Punjab government policy unveiled in 2026 to create a frictionless investment ecosystem for global businesses. It is complemented by a dedicated FTA and Export Facilitation Cell that helps international firms navigate trade agreements, regulatory compliance, and export promotion.
Who led the British delegation to Invest Punjab?
The delegation was led by Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio and included First Secretary Trade Nicholas Gribit and senior adviser Anup Narayan from the British High Commission.
What happens next after these talks?
Both sides agreed to sustain engagement and facilitate structured B2B interactions between Punjab industry and British businesses, with the goal of translating the discussions into concrete investment commitments on the ground.
