Tariffs on whisky being exported to India are set to be halved as part of a trade deal with the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer will welcome his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday to sign the deal, which will see tariffs on whisky cut from 150% to 75%, and potentially dropping to 40% in the next decade.
While tariffs on soft drinks will drop gradually from 33% to 0%, the UK Government estimated a £190 million boost for Scotland as a result of the deal.
Speaking ahead of the signing, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “This is great news for Scotland and Scottish jobs.
“Our trade deal with India is fantastic news for Brand Scotland, with our goods, businesses and services gaining access to what is projected to be the world’s third-largest economy by 2027.
“From food, drink and textiles production, to clean energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and financial services, Scotland has so much to offer India.
“It’s fantastic news in particular for the world-famous whisky industry, with Indian import tariffs slashed on Scotch having the potential to be transformational for the industry. It’s also good news for our other national drink, with tariffs on soft drinks cut.
“As the UK Government delivers our Plan for Change, we are also bringing inward investment to Scotland to create jobs, boost economic growth and improve living standards right across the UK.”
Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Mark Kent said the industry had “long championed” a deal with India, adding: “The signing of the FTA is an historic moment and is an important milestone to reducing tariffs on Scotch whisky in a growing market.
“This will contribute to the Government’s growth objective, by laying the foundations for further investment and jobs.”
