India Is the Global Growth Opportunity North East Businesses Cannot Afford to Miss
- Ash King
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
A population approaching 1.5 billion. An economy worth more than US$4 trillion. UK–India trade of £47.9 billion. A new trade agreement expected to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion every year.
For ambitious North East businesses, India is no longer a market to watch. It is a market to enter.
From 12 to 16 October 2026, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness will join Mayors from across the North of England on the first joint mayoral-led trade mission to India.
Supported by ISS Airview, the mission offers selected North East businesses a powerful platform to accelerate market entry, build trusted relationships and pursue practical commercial opportunities.
Expressions of Interest must be submitted before Monday 10 August 2026.
Why India and Why Now?
India is one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, with growth forecast at approximately 6.5% a year and a population expected to reach almost 1.48 billion in 2026.
The commercial relationship with the UK is already expanding rapidly. Total UK–India trade reached £47.9 billion in 2025, increasing by 10% in a single year, while UK exports to India rose by more than 15% to £19.3 billion. India is now the UK’s 11th-largest trading partner.
The UK–India Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect on 15 July 2026, strengthens the opportunity further. Under the agreement, 90% of UK goods entering India will become duty-free or benefit from reduced tariffs. The deal is expected to increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion and bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually in the long term.
For the North East, the opportunity spans advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, defence, energy, digital technology, artificial intelligence, life sciences, education, professional services, logistics and the creative industries.
North East businesses exported around £100 million of goods to India during 2025. That provides a foundation, but also demonstrates how much further the relationship can grow.
A Relationship Built Over Time
More than a decade ago, Ammar Mirza CBE visited India with Sharon Jandu OBE as part of a Northern trade delegation and returned convinced by the scale of its ambition, the energy of its entrepreneurs and its commitment to enterprise, innovation and education.
India has transformed significantly since that visit, but the importance of relationships, trust and long-term commitment remains unchanged.
This is why the October mission is far more than an overseas visit.
Led by Northern Mayors and supported by government, regional institutions and experienced international partners, it offers businesses a level of credibility and access that would be difficult to achieve independently.
Accelerating Market Entry Through ISS Airview
As the UK’s first dedicated International Trade Centre, ISS Airview is supporting the Mayor and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority to identify and prepare businesses capable of making the most of this landmark opportunity.
The support begins before departure and continues well beyond the mission. It includes assessing market readiness, refining the India-facing proposition, identifying the right sectors and locations, facilitating trusted introductions and supporting the follow-up required to turn conversations into contracts, partnerships and investment.
ISS Airview’s wider ecosystem also provides international businesses with soft-landing support, workspace, logistics, Freeport connectivity and a practical base from which to establish and grow their UK operations.
This creates a two-way bridge between India and the North East, helping regional businesses expand into one of the world’s most important markets while attracting Indian investment, innovation and enterprise into the region.
The Time to Act Is Now
India offers scale, growth and demand. The Free Trade Agreement creates a more favourable commercial environment. The mayoral mission provides profile, access and influence. ISS Airview provides the platform to help businesses convert that opportunity into action.
North East businesses with the ambition and capacity to grow internationally should submit an Expression of Interest by Monday 10 August 2026.
Places are limited and applications should clearly demonstrate export readiness, relevance to the Indian market and the commercial outcomes the business intends to pursue.
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