New Delhi, July 25 -- India's leather and footwear industry is set for significant expansion in the wake of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed between India and the United Kingdom.

The agreement offers duty-free market access to 99 percent of Indian exports to the UK, marking a significant turning point in bilateral trade relations.

The elimination of tariffs-previously as high as 16 percent-on leather goods and footwear is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian manufacturers, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in traditional export hubs such as Agra, Kanpur, Chennai, Kolhapur, and Kolkata.

With the UK being a major importer of high-quality fashion and leather products...