New Delhi, July 24 -- The United Kingdom and India signed a historic free trade agreement (FTA) on Thursday, boosting bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually. Besides this, the landmark deal will also boost India's leather and footwear exports to the UK.

According to an ANI report, India's leather and footwear export could exceed $900 million, marking a major leap forward for the sector. This growth is expected as the India-UK FTA opens up new opportunities for small artisans and businesses across the country.

The FTA offers duty-free access to the UK's $23 billion market, giving Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) a strong advantage over other countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Pakistan in labour-intensive s...