Northern Ireland Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Fleur Anderson, visited Hinch Distillery in County Down, to explore how the newly signed UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) stands to unlock export potential for the region's premium spirits industry.

The Minister was joined by V.V.S. Rama Krishna, Acting Consul General of India in Belfast, reinforcing the growing commercial and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The UK–India FTA, which was signed earlier this month, is estimated to deliver a £50 million boost to Northern Ireland's economy, with Irish whiskey identified as one of the standout sectors set to benefit. The deal will see tariffs on Irish whiskey drop immediately from 150% to 75%, with a further phased reduction to 40% over the next decade. This opens the door to one of the world's largest and fastest-growing whiskey markets.

Minister Anderson said she was delighted to visit Hinch and discuss their ambitious plans, noting that the deal will "help remove barriers, lower tariffs, and open the door to India, which is one of the world's fastest-growing consumer markets."

She added that for Northern Ireland, it's not just about economic growth but also about showcasing its "heritage, innovation and world-class products on a new international scale."

Will Stafford, Distillery Manager and Head Distiller at Hinch, described India as a "generational opportunity," stating that the FTA gives Northern Ireland a real edge.

The new deal is expected to further increase exports from Northern Ireland to India, which stood at a combined £65m last year, a figure projected to grow thanks to lower tariffs and streamlined customs processes.