INTERNATIONAL: The UK’s Railway Industry Association has welcomed the start of negotiations for a free trade agreement with India on January 13, when Britain’s International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan met with India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, who was Minister of Railways in 2017-21.
The Rail Supply Group’s UK Exports Survey in 2020 found that India is the third highest priority market after Australia and the USA where UK companies believe their goods or services could be exported with assistance from the rail industry and government.
‘Both nations have a strong railway history and have governments seeking to expand their networks through rail investment’, said RIA Exports Director Neil Walker. ‘With the right conditions there is a real opportunity to increase rail trade between the two nations.
‘We look forward to working with the UK government to support the negotiations and to ensure rail plays a central role in any agreed trade deal, supporting more exports growth, jobs and investment across the UK.’
- Railway Gazette International provides extensive coverage of global rail business opportunities; the Indian government’s plans for record capital investment in the rail network were described in detail in the April 2021 issue, which subscribers can read online.
