Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
Sustained political attention and resourcing critical for effective CETA implementation and barrier reduction.
Conclusion
Implementation of CETA is critical to success of the deal and real benefits for UK businesses and growth in the UK economy. Tariff reductions and legal commitments alone will not translate into increased exports or investment 78 unless they are supported by effective delivery. The Committee sees CETA as a starting point for further barrier reductions. The Agreement should be treated as a floor, not a ceiling. There needs to be sustained political attention, sufficient resourcing, clear accountability within Government, and active regulatory engagement with India to continue to reduce barriers to trade. The Committee will monitor the Government’s implementation of the Agreement on an ongoing basis. (Conclusion, Paragraph 109)
Government Response Summary
The government states that the Trade Minister is responsible for trade policy and exports and has ministerial responsibility for ensuring FTA implementation is resourced and delivered. They also mention that DBT has teams and a program to ensure businesses can leverage the FTA, including outreach to over 7,000 businesses.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The current Trade Minister is the first Trade Minister responsible for both trade policy and exports and has ministerial responsibility for ensuring the implementation of FTAs is resourced and delivered. As referenced above, HM Government retains substantial teams both in the overseas net-work and in London, devoted to implementing the agreement. DBT’s dedicated Free Trade Agreement Utilisation team is leading a coordinated, cross-departmental programme to ensure UK businesses are fully equipped to take advantage of the UK–India FTA the moment it enters into force. This capability exercise is delivered by raising awareness of the deal, producing sector specific and thematic guides, and supporting firms to understand how to leverage new market access opportunities, tariff reductions, and simplified customs processes. DBT’s outreach activity has already engaged over 7,000 businesses and their representative groups on CETA right across the UK and in market. Through ongoing business engagement, regional events, partnerships with sector bodies, and close collaboration with policy teams, DBT is ensuring that companies not only understand the deal but can convert its provisions into real commercial wins.