AB Business Advisory — The India–UK corridor. We know both sides.

India–UK CETA · In Force May 2026

The biggest trade opportunity between the UK and India in a generation.

The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement was signed at Chequers on 24 July 2025 — during Prime Minister Modi's historic visit to the UK — and came into force in May 2026. It is the UK's largest trade deal since Brexit and eliminates or reduces tariffs on the vast majority of goods traded between the two countries.

For UK businesses, average tariffs on goods entering India drop from 15% to just 3%. For Indian businesses, 99% of exports to the UK now enter duty-free. Both sides gain new access to services, procurement, and investment that was previously unavailable.

Two business professionals shaking hands at a meeting

99%

of Indian exports enter UK duty-free

90%

of UK tariff lines reduced in India

£1.9bn

UK exports eligible for day-one tariff-free India access

£38bn

Indian government procurement now open to UK firms

£25.5bn

additional bilateral trade unlocked by the CETA

£4.8bn

added to UK GDP every year

Key opportunities by sector

Tech & AI

UK tech and AI firms gain preferential access to India's fast-growing digital economy and 5 million-strong engineering talent base.

Manufacturing

UK-made goods — including automotive and engineering components — see significant tariff reductions into India over five years.

Food & Drink

Scotch whisky tariffs halved immediately from 150% to 75%, dropping to 40% by year ten. Chocolates, biscuits, and cosmetics also benefit.

Professional Services

Easier temporary business travel for IT, engineering, architecture, and professional services firms operating across both markets.

Automotive

UK cars entering India reduced from 110% duty to 10% over five years under a quota system being progressively liberalised.

Textiles & Retail

Indian textiles and clothing enter the UK duty-free — a major opportunity for UK businesses sourcing from India.

The CETA also includes a Double Contribution Convention — Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK are exempt from UK National Insurance contributions, reducing employment costs for cross-border teams.

Book a Free FTA Discovery Call → Speak to us about your FTA opportunity →

Businesses we have worked with — sector & type

UK Manufacturing Co. West Midlands · India Entry

Pune Tech Consultancy Maharashtra · UK Establishment

E-commerce Retailer London · Outsourced Accounting

Professional Services Firm Birmingham · Finance Support

India–UK Joint Venture Corridor · End-to-End

What clients say

Heard directly from the people we work with.

We had explored India for two years without a clear path. AB Business Advisory gave us a market entry plan in two weeks that our own team had spent months trying to build. The CETA timing was perfect — and they had already modelled what it meant for our sector before we even asked.

Managing Director

UK Manufacturing Business · West Midlands

Corridor Advisory · India Market Entry

Switching our bookkeeping and management accounts to AB Business Advisory cut our monthly finance costs significantly. The accounts arrive on the 5th without fail. I stopped thinking about it — which is exactly what I wanted.

Finance Director

Professional Services Firm · Birmingham

Accounting & Finance · Management Accounts

As an Indian business setting up in the UK, we needed someone who understood both sides — not just UK company law but also how our Indian parent structure would interact with it. AB Business Advisory handled the entity setup and continues to manage our UK books. They genuinely know both sides.

Director

Indian Technology Consultancy · UK Subsidiary

India → UK · Entity Setup & Finance

Sample engagements

What working with us looks like in practice.

UK → India

Midlands manufacturer enters the Maharashtra industrial corridor

Manufacturing Pune FDI Structuring

A West Midlands engineering business had identified India as its next growth market but had no existing India relationships or structure. We conducted a two-week market entry sprint covering corridor selection, competitor landscape, and three entry route options. We then managed entity setup, RBI compliance, and land identification at an industrial zone near Pune — coordinated entirely from Birmingham.

Outcome

India subsidiary registered and operational within 14 weeks of first engagement. Government PLI incentive application submitted in parallel.

India → UK

Pune tech consultancy establishes UK presence ahead of CETA

Technology Birmingham Entity Setup

An established IT services business in Pune wanted a UK entity to bid on British government contracts opening under the CETA procurement provisions. We advised on company structure, registered the UK subsidiary, set up the accounting function on Xero, and connected the client to relevant procurement frameworks — all within a six-week timeline.

Outcome

UK entity active and VAT-registered within 6 weeks. First government tender submitted within 10 weeks of engagement start.

Outsourced Accounting

London e-commerce seller replaces in-house bookkeeper

E-commerce Amazon · Shopify VAT · Payroll

A London-based Amazon and Shopify seller was spending £2,400/month on a part-time in-house bookkeeper and still missing deadlines. We took over bookkeeping, monthly management accounts, VAT returns, and payroll processing. Settlement reconciliation across Amazon UK and EU marketplaces was resolved within the first month.

Outcome

Monthly finance cost reduced by 52%. Management accounts now delivered on the 4th of each month without exception.

Corridor Advisory

End-to-end advisory, both sides of the corridor.

From market entry and entity setup to land acquisition, FDI structuring, government scheme navigation, and project financing — we manage the entire journey. One team. Birmingham and Pune. Present on both sides from day one.

Enter India with a clear strategy and a team on the ground.

India is the world's fastest-growing major economy — 6.5% annual GDP growth, 1.4 billion consumers, and a thriving innovation ecosystem. The right corridor, city, entry structure, and government scheme can transform your India opportunity. We guide you through every step.

India Market Entry Sprint

A focused two-week engagement: market assessment, corridor selection, entry route options, competitor landscape, and a clear action plan ready to execute.

CETA OpportunityUK goods now enter India at an average 3% tariff — down from 15%. This is the right moment to build your India entry plan.

£1,500 · 2 weeks

India Entity Setup & Compliance

Guidance on the right structure — branch office, wholly-owned subsidiary, or LLP — plus RBI/FEMA compliance, company registration, and ongoing secretarial support through our India CA partners.

Scoped per engagement

Land & Premises Acquisition

For UK businesses establishing physical operations in India — we advise on location selection, industrial zone options, SEZ benefits, and coordinate the acquisition process through our India network.

End-to-End ServiceFrom site identification to legal coordination and handover — managed with our India-based partners.

Scoped per project

Government Scheme & Grant Navigation

We identify applicable UK and Indian government schemes, PLI incentives, Make in India benefits, DBT grants, and UKEF support — and manage the application process end-to-end.

£500 + success fee

FDI Structuring & Advisory

We advise on optimal FDI routes into India — automatic route, government route, and sector-specific approvals — ensuring your investment structure is compliant, tax-efficient, and future-proof.

Scoped per engagement

UK–India Regulatory Coordination

One point of contact managing both sides — UK compliance, RBI approvals, FEMA returns, transfer pricing, and ongoing India-side secretarial support. You deal with us; we handle both teams.

Retainer-based

Featured programme

Take UK innovation to India.

£3,500 · 4 weeks Tech & AI India Scale Programme

India has five million software engineers. Average tech salaries are 80% lower than the UK. Government AI investment is scaling rapidly. The CETA gives UK tech companies a preferential route into a market that is ready for innovation. We assess the opportunity, select the right city and model, identify partnerships, and build a credible India growth plan.

CETA OpportunityUK tech firms now have access to £38bn of Indian government procurement contracts — open for the first time.

Enquire about the Scale Programme →

India is not one market

Choosing the right corridor changes everything.

Tech & AI

Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune

India's deepest tech ecosystems — engineering, AI/ML, and product talent.

SoftwareSaaSAIEngineeringGCC

Financial Services

Mumbai, GIFT City

India's commercial capital and the new IFSC.

FintechInsuranceAsset Management

Manufacturing & Land

Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad

Industrial corridors with deep engineering DNA and SEZ/PLI benefits.

EngineeringAutoPLI SectorsSEZ

Life Sciences

Hyderabad, Chennai

Pharma and clinical research clusters.

PharmaMedtechClinical Research

Green Energy

Gujarat, Rajasthan

India's renewables heartland — solar, wind, and green hydrogen corridors.

SolarWindHydrogen

Professional Services & FDI

Delhi NCR, Mumbai

The right base for advisory, government-facing activity, and FDI approvals — close to DPIIT and institutional decision-making.

ConsultingFDIGovernmentLegal

The UK is open for Indian business.

The UK offers one of the world's most straightforward environments for company formation, business credibility, and international market access. With the CETA now in force, Indian businesses have improved access to UK markets and a stronger platform for global growth. We help Indian businesses establish, grow, and thrive in the UK — with clarity and no surprises.

UK Company Setup Package

Full Companies House incorporation, registered address, bank account guidance, and HMRC registration. A complete end-to-end setup with one point of contact.

CETA OpportunityIndian businesses with a UK entity can route exports duty-free and access UK public procurement markets.

£750

UK Startup Setup for Indian Founders

For Indian startup founders establishing a UK entity — company formation, bank account support, HMRC setup, scheme identification, and 60 days of onboarding support.

£1,250

UK Premises & Location Advisory

Guidance on the best UK city and premises for your business — from Birmingham's manufacturing base to London's financial services cluster. We connect you with local agents and councils.

£500

UK Government Scheme Navigation

We identify UK grants, DBT programmes, Innovate UK, UKEF export support, and GREAT campaign opportunities relevant to your business and manage the application process.

£500 + success fee

FTA Readiness Audit

A focused review of how the India–UK CETA benefits your specific business — tariff changes, services access, procurement opportunities, and the top three actions to take now.

£500

Business Plan & Funding Preparation

UK-standard business plans for bank applications, investor meetings, grant submissions, and DBT scheme applications. Structured for the UK audience, backed by India-side financials.

£750

Finance Readiness, FDI & Investor Introductions

We structure your funding narrative for the UK market — whether you are raising equity, securing a bank facility, or navigating UKEF support. We facilitate introductions to appropriate lenders, angels, and investor networks. For larger Indian groups, we advise on inbound FDI structuring and UK investment routes.

£500 + introductions

UK Company Setup

A clear path from India to a UK base.

Seven steps from idea to a credible UK presence — managed end-to-end, in plain English, with one point of contact.

01
Companies House registration
02
Registered address in the UK
03
Business bank account support
04
HMRC Corporation Tax registration
05
Government scheme identification
06
Professional email, domain & web presence
07
60-day onboarding support

One partner, every stage of the project.

Some engagements go beyond advisory — they require a single trusted partner managing everything from initial feasibility through to operational launch. For complex India–UK projects involving land, capital, government approvals, and cross-border compliance, we act as your project lead from day one.

01 Feasibility

Market, site & financial modelling

02 Land & Premises

Site identification, due diligence & acquisition

03 FDI & Legal

RBI, FEMA, DPIIT approvals & entity setup

04 Govt Schemes

PLI, SEZ, state subsidies & UKEF cover

05 Finance & Capital

Business plan, lender introductions & capital raise

06 Launch

Operational setup, finance function & ongoing support

Project Feasibility & Structure

Market and site feasibility, investment structure, regulatory pathway, and financial modelling — before you commit capital. We give you an honest picture first.

Scoped per project

Land Identification & Acquisition Support

For manufacturing, warehousing, or commercial projects in India — we identify suitable land parcels, industrial zones, and SEZ plots and coordinate due diligence and acquisition through our Pune-based network.

Success-fee based

RBI, FEMA & FDI Approvals

End-to-end management of RBI filings, FEMA compliance, DPIIT FDI approvals, and ongoing annual reporting — handled by our India CA team with UK oversight from AB Advisory.

Retainer-based

Government Incentive Maximisation

We map all applicable incentives — PLI schemes, state industrial subsidies, SEZ tax benefits, UK UKEF cover, DBT grants — and build a maximisation plan into your project structure from the start.

£750 + success fee

Project Finance & Capital Raising

Business plan, financial model, and investor documentation preparation — plus facilitated introductions to UK and Indian lenders, development finance institutions, and equity networks.

Scoped per engagement

M&A & Business Acquisition Advisory

We identify acquisition targets on both sides of the corridor — UK businesses for Indian buyers, and Indian assets for UK acquirers — and manage the advisory process through to completion.

Success-fee based

Full-service engagement

Full corridor project management.

Scoped per project India–UK End-to-End Programme

For businesses that want one trusted partner managing the entire India–UK project — from feasibility and land through to entity setup, FDI approvals, government schemes, finance, and operational launch. We coordinate every workstream, both sides, so you can focus on the business.

Why AB AdvisoryOur team is present in Birmingham and Pune. We do not subcontract the India side — it is our team, our relationships, our accountability.

Discuss your project →

Accounting & Finance Services

Your finance function, handled by professionals who understand both countries.

We provide monthly finance management, bookkeeping, management reporting, VAT, and business support for growing businesses — built around the realities of operating across the UK–India corridor.

UK-standard work

Every engagement follows UK accounting standards, HMRC requirements, and Making Tax Digital compliance.

Corridor-fluent team

Our team understands Indian business structures, inter-company transactions, and cross-border accounting — not just UK-domestic books.

Single point of contact

You deal with one person in Birmingham. Everything else is handled.

What's included in your finance support.

Monthly Finance Management

Bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, and transaction management — closed by the 5th of each month, every month.

Management Accounts

Monthly P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reporting with plain-English commentary.

VAT Compliance Support

MTD-compliant VAT return preparation, review, and filing support — quarterly.

Payroll Processing

Full PAYE payroll, RTI submissions, payslips, and pension compliance support.

Accounts Payable & Receivable

Day-to-day AP/AR management, supplier payments, and credit control support.

Year-End Preparation

Books prepared and reconciled to trial balance, ready for your accountant or auditor to finalise.

Fractional Finance Manager

A senior finance professional available part-time — reporting, forecasting, investor-ready analysis, and strategic financial input.

Business Plan Preparation

UK-standard business plans — for bank applications, investor conversations, grant submissions, and funding readiness.

System Setup & Migration

Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, FreeAgent setup, migration, and training.

Platforms we work on Xero QuickBooks Sage FreeAgent Dext Hubdoc AutoEntry

How it works.

Discovery call

We understand your business and current setup.

Onboarding

We connect to your accounting software and review the books.

Monthly rhythm

Delivered by the 5th of each month, reviewed together.

Quarterly review

We walk through the numbers and look ahead.

Plans built for growing businesses.

Essentials

Get the basics right.

From £199/month

Monthly bookkeeping
Bank reconciliation
VAT support

Growth

Visibility for decisions.

From £399/month

Everything in Essentials
Management accounts
Payroll

Finance Partner

A senior hand on the numbers.

From £799/month

Everything in Growth
Fractional finance manager
KPI reporting

Corridor Complete

Finance + UK–India strategy, in one.

From £1,199/month

Everything in Finance Partner
Corridor Advisory retainer included
The only plan that bundles finance with UK–India strategy

Most integrated

All plans include onboarding, a dedicated contact, and a monthly review call.

Accounting & Finance · Back-Office Delivery

The finance function
your business deserves.

Most growing businesses carry a finance back-office that is too expensive, too slow, or too fragmented. There is a better model. We provide fully managed bookkeeping, accounts, payroll, and reporting — delivered by qualified professionals, overseen from Birmingham, at a fraction of the cost of building in-house. You keep one relationship. We handle everything behind it.

60^%

Cost reduction

Against an equivalent in-house function at UK staffing rates — without compromising on qualification or output quality.

+5^hrs

Time zone leverage

Work submitted at UK close of business is processed and returned by the following morning. Your deadlines are met before your day begins.

Point of contact

You deal with one person. Coordination, quality assurance, and delivery are managed entirely on your behalf — no overseas introductions required.

Recruitment overhead

No hiring cycles, no pension contributions, no sick cover. A professional finance function that scales with your business, billed on a fixed monthly fee.

What we deliver

Ten disciplines.
One managed service.

Each service is delivered to UK accounting standards, prepared on your chosen platform — Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage — and reviewed before it reaches you. Nothing is sent to a client until it has been checked.

Service	What it covers	Cadence
Bookkeeping & Reconciliations	Transaction coding, bank reconciliation, and ledger maintenance. Closed to trial balance on your schedule — weekly or monthly.	Monthly
VAT Return Preparation	MTD-compliant return preparation — data gathering, reconciliation, and a reviewed return pack ready for your approval and submission.	Quarterly
Payroll Processing	Full PAYE payroll runs, RTI submissions, payslip generation, P60 and P45 production, and pension contribution reporting to HMRC deadlines.	Monthly
Year-End Accounts	Books reconciled to trial balance with full working papers and supporting schedules — prepared for your accountant or auditor to finalise efficiently.	Annual
Management Accounts & MIS	Monthly P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow with plain-English variance commentary and KPI dashboards. Delivered by the 5th of each month.	Monthly
E-commerce Accounting	Specialist reconciliation for Amazon Seller Central, Shopify, Stripe, and PayPal — settlement reports, marketplace VAT, and multi-currency matching.	Monthly
Virtual CFO Support	Budgeting, forecasting, investor-ready financial packs, and cash flow modelling. Senior finance leadership available on a fractional, retained basis.	Retainer
Accounts Payable / Receivable	Invoice processing, supplier payment runs, aged debtor and creditor reporting, and credit control support — your cash position always visible.	Monthly
Audit Support & Working Papers	Audit-ready schedules, working paper files, and reconciliation packs — prepared to minimise auditor time and statutory audit cost.	Annual
Xero / QuickBooks Support	Certified setup, chart of accounts configuration, migration, and ongoing platform management for Xero and QuickBooks Online clients.	Ongoing

How it works

From first conversation to monthly delivery — in four steps.

Discovery

A 30-minute call. We understand your business, your current finance setup, the platforms you use, and what you need. No obligation, no pitch.

Scoping & Onboarding

We agree a fixed scope and monthly fee, connect to your accounting software, and complete a first-pass review of your books. Typically complete within one week.

Managed Delivery

Work is processed, reviewed for quality, and delivered on a fixed monthly schedule. You receive the output — not the process behind it.

Review & Advise

A monthly call to walk through the numbers, flag anything material, and look ahead. Finance as a function — not just a compliance exercise.

Most businesses reduce their finance overhead by 40–60% after one conversation with us.

A finance function that works.
Without the overhead.

Tell us what you currently spend on bookkeeping, payroll, and accounts — and we will show you what the same output costs with us. No obligation.

Request a Fixed-Fee Quote →

Typical onboarding: under one week. Minimum term: three months. Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage supported.

The India–UK corridor.We know both sides.

The biggest trade opportunity between the UK and India in a generation.

Key opportunities by sector

Tech & AI

Manufacturing

Food & Drink

Professional Services

Automotive

Textiles & Retail

Two ways we can help.

Trade & Market Entry Advisory

Accounting & Finance Services

Heard directly from the people we work with.

What working with us looks like in practice.

Midlands manufacturer enters the Maharashtra industrial corridor

Pune tech consultancy establishes UK presence ahead of CETA

London e-commerce seller replaces in-house bookkeeper

End-to-end advisory, both sides of the corridor.

Enter India with a clear strategy and a team on the ground.

India Market Entry Sprint

India Entity Setup & Compliance

Land & Premises Acquisition

Government Scheme & Grant Navigation

FDI Structuring & Advisory

UK–India Regulatory Coordination

Take UK innovation to India.

Choosing the right corridor changes everything.

Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune

Mumbai, GIFT City

Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad

Hyderabad, Chennai

Gujarat, Rajasthan

Delhi NCR, Mumbai

The UK is open for Indian business.

UK Company Setup Package

UK Startup Setup for Indian Founders

UK Premises & Location Advisory

UK Government Scheme Navigation

FTA Readiness Audit

Business Plan & Funding Preparation

Finance Readiness, FDI & Investor Introductions

A clear path from India to a UK base.

One partner, every stage of the project.

Project Feasibility & Structure

Land Identification & Acquisition Support

RBI, FEMA & FDI Approvals

Government Incentive Maximisation

Project Finance & Capital Raising

M&A & Business Acquisition Advisory

Full corridor project management.

Your finance function, handled by professionals who understand both countries.

UK-standard work

Corridor-fluent team

Single point of contact

What's included in your finance support.

Monthly Finance Management

Management Accounts

VAT Compliance Support

Payroll Processing

Accounts Payable & Receivable

Year-End Preparation

Fractional Finance Manager

Business Plan Preparation

System Setup & Migration

How it works.

Discovery call

Onboarding

Monthly rhythm

Quarterly review

Plans built for growing businesses.

Get the basics right.

Visibility for decisions.

A senior hand on the numbers.

Finance + UK–India strategy, in one.

The finance functionyour business deserves.

Ten disciplines.One managed service.

From first conversation to monthly delivery — in four steps.

Discovery

Scoping & Onboarding

Managed Delivery

The India–UK corridor.
We know both sides.

The finance function
your business deserves.

Ten disciplines.
One managed service.

A finance function that works.
Without the overhead.