New Delhi, July 26 -- The recently signed India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is expected to significantly benefit Coimbatore's export-driven industries.

Local industry leaders believe the pact will open up greater opportunities for textile, jewellery, and MSME sectors by eliminating import duties and simplifying trade procedures.

Coimbatore and nearby Tiruppur are major hubs for textile manufacturing and exports. Under the new agreement, duties on garments and home textiles-previously ranging from 10% to 12%-have been eliminated.

This brings Indian exporters at par with competitors like Bangladesh and Pakistan, who already enjoyed duty-free access to the UK.

Textile industry associations in Tamil Nadu, such as ...