Expanded Free Trade Agreement Between India and the UK Strengthens Position of Women in Various Domains Throughout India
The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), set to be formalized on Thursday, is set to revolutionise opportunities for women entrepreneurs and artisans in India, particularly in sectors such as textiles, leather, and footwear[1][2][4]. The agreement, which includes a dedicated chapter on trade and gender equality, marks a significant shift in policy that aims to enhance opportunities for women in these sectors[1][2][4].
Key impacts on women entrepreneurs and artisans include:
* **Support for women-owned enterprises**: The FTA's SME chapter and gender provisions aim to provide better market access, financial literacy programs, trade financing, and participation in trade missions targeted specifically at women[1][2]. This is particularly beneficial for the 99% of women-owned enterprises in India, which are micro-enterprises[1][2]. * **Sector-specific opportunities**: Traditional Indian products, such as Bhagalpur silk and Kolhapuri chappals, are expected to benefit from duty concessions and greater access to the UK market[3]. This can boost women entrepreneurs involved in artisanal and manufacturing sectors, many of whom operate in textiles, leather, and footwear[3]. * **Empowerment and inclusivity measures**: The gender chapter facilitates cooperation activities such as the exchange of gender-disaggregated data, promotion of workplace flexibility, and sharing of best practices[1][2][4]. This aims to create an enabling environment for women workers and business owners, especially from rural and marginalised communities[1][2][4]. * **Institutional support**: The agreement establishes a Trade and Gender Equality Working Group composed of government representatives from both countries to oversee and ensure sustained implementation of gender-related provisions[1][4]. This strengthens accountability and continuous progress in gender equality in trade policy. * **Broader economic inclusion**: The FTA extends benefits to women entrepreneurs among MSMEs, startups, and traditional business sectors by opening new global value chains and reducing barriers[3]. This can generate higher incomes and employment opportunities in labor-intensive sectors like textiles and leather[3].
In addition, the FTA is expected to increase brand recognition, preserve cultural identity, and boost artisan incomes for handmade leather goods[1]. Artisans from various regions like Kanchipuram, Bhagalpur, Jaipur, and Varanasi are expected to benefit from enhanced access to global markets[1]. The FTA is seen as a step towards amplifying the role of these artisans in the fashion and design industry globally[1].
Clusters in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are expected to become more export-ready and gain easier access to the UK market[1]. The FTA offers opportunities for women artisans to become trailblazers in premium craftsmanship and the fashion and design industry globally[1]. The agreement will remove tariff barriers on 90% of tariff lines and open up nearly 100% of trade value[1].
Women-led MSMEs will benefit from the FTA as it simplifies compliance procedures and supports capacity-building and trade finance[1]. The agreement aligns gender equity with national ambition, empowering women to lead, innovate, and shape the future of global trade[1]. This move offers tariff-free access to the UK's USD 23 billion market for labor-intensive goods like textiles, leather, and footwear to Indian women producers[1].
In summary, the India-UK FTA significantly empowers women entrepreneurs and artisans in key Indian sectors by providing tailored financial, market, and institutional support, especially for micro-enterprises in textiles, leather, and footwear. It institutionalises gender equality in trade policy, creating a platform for inclusive economic growth linked to increased exports and market access for women-led businesses[1][2][3][4].
- The SME chapter and gender provisions of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement aim to provide financial literacy programs and trade financing for women-owned enterprises, particularly beneficial for the 99% of women-owned micro-enterprises in India.
- Traditional Indian products like Bhagalpur silk and Kolhapuri chappals, which are predominantly made by women artisans, are expected to gain exposure in the UK market due to duty concessions and improved access.
- The agreement establishes a Trade and Gender Equality Working Group to oversee the implementation of gender-related provisions, ensuring continued progress in gender equality in trade policy.
- The FTA offers tariff-free access to the UK's USD 23 billion market for labor-intensive goods like textiles, leather, and footwear, empowering women producers in these sectors to lead, innovate, and shape the future of global trade.
