Assam and UK Prep Trade Ties Before FTA Launch

Guwahati: Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota and British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Fleming met Wednesday to map out economic cooperation. The talks come weeks before the India-UK Free Trade Agreement takes effect on July 15, 2026. The two sides want to push trade, tech, and infrastructure projects across the state.

Fleming described the meeting as timely ahead of the FTA's implementation and said discussions covered a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture technology, artificial intelligence, skilling, sports, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), climate and energy. Officials hope to turn these plans into real results for the local economy.

The British delegation dropped off a report for the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited. It focuses on battery storage and cleaner energy grids. Meanwhile, both teams are eyeing an upcoming infrastructure roundtable in Guwahati to discuss flood control and urban growth. They also looked at AI partnerships to boost the state's digital footprint.