London: Cricket bat and pad exports from the UK to India could be in line for a big boost next season thanks to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
The latest round of negotiations on the deal, kicked off by the Trade Secretary in person, wrapped up in New Delhi last week.
The agreement seeks to cut red tape and tariffs for businesses, which could include reducing the current 20% tariff on cricket bats and pads made in the UK.
Any reduction could benefit iconic British brands like Gunn & Moore, whose bats are used by England captain Ben Stokes and have been trading with India for more than a century.
The Nottingham-based firm, which uses English willow in its bats and exports both wooden bat ‘clefts’ and fully made bats to India, welcomed the negotiations, saying cuts to tariffs would help its business.
UK exports to India of English willow, which is bought by Indian companies to make bats used by players at all levels of the game, were worth over £6 million annually between 2018 and 2020, and are currently subject to a tariff of 10%.