GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali Participates in India–UK CEOs Forum in Mumbai
The India–UK CEOs Forum, held in Mumbai on October 8–9, brought together leading business figures from both nations to discuss opportunities emerging from the new India–UK Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA). Representing India’s gem and jewellery industry, Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of GJEPC, joined the high-level discussions.
The two-day forum explored how the CETA, signed in May 2025, will reshape bilateral trade by eliminating tariffs on 99% of India’s exports to the UK and 90% of UK exports to India.
Mr. Bhansali was part of a key session titled “Leveraging the India–UK CETA to Achieve Growth and Jobs,” alongside business leaders such as Mr. Uday Kotak, Mr. Karan Rathore, Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, Mr. Naren Goenka, Mr. Anil Agarwal, Mr. Harish Ahuja, Mr. Bhadresh Dodhia, and Mr. Namit Joshi. Together, they shared perspectives on enhancing competitiveness and employment generation through the new agreement.
The forum was co-chaired by Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder & Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, and Mr. Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered. Senior government representatives, including Mr. Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, addressed the gathering during the opening session.
With bilateral investments exceeding £30 billion, the partnership is expected to add around $34 billion in annual trade by 2040.
Speaking at the forum, Mr. Bhansali commended the government’s proactive trade policy, stating, “It is an honour to be part of this platform and recognise the government’s commitment to expanding India’s trade horizons. The FTAs with the UAE, Australia, and EFTA have already boosted our sector’s competitiveness. Despite global challenges, India’s gem and jewellery exports rose 3% to USD 11 billion between April and August 2025 compared to last year.”
He further highlighted that the India–UK FTA could be transformative for the industry, with exports to the UK projected to more than double—from USD 1 billion to USD 2.5 billion within three years—creating approximately 1.4 lakh new jobs across the jewellery value chain.
Mr. Bhansali’s participation reinforced the growing global significance of India’s gem and jewellery sector. With reduced trade barriers and expanded market access, the UK market presents immense potential for export growth, design collaboration, and innovation-driven value addition. The CETA is set to further strengthen this growth trajectory, positioning India as a key partner in the evolving India–UK trade relationship.