Rail industry welcomes start of UK-India trade negotiations

The Railway Industry Association, the voice of the UK rail supply community, has welcomed the start of trade negotiations between India and the UK.

Neil Walker, Exports Director at the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “Many UK railway businesses will welcome negotiations starting on a new Free Trade Agreement with India.

“Both nations have a strong railway history and have Governments seeking to expand their networks through rail investment in the future. India is one of the top priority markets for UK rail suppliers, where they believe railway goods and services can be exported with further assistance, showing that 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.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Government announcement can be found here.
2. The Rail Supply Group's 2020 Exports Survey shows that India is the third top priority market for rail suppliers, where companies believe their railway sector goods or services have potential to be exported with assistance from the rail industry and Government. You can find the Survey here.
About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people. It is also a vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK; for every £1 spent in rail, £2.50 is generated in the wider economy. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number).  www.riagb.org.uk