UK-India FTA boosts South Yorkshire investment push

South Yorkshire is looking to draw Indian investment into advanced manufacturing, sustainable aviation, energy, artificial intelligence and preventive healthcare, as the India-UK free trade agreement opens up new business opportunities between the two countries. Oliver Coppard, the Mayor of South Yorkshire, outlined the region's plans on the sidelines of the 16th India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting in New Delhi.

Coppard said the region sees strong potential in India's fast-growing economy and wants to use the trade agreement to bring Indian businesses to South Yorkshire. It also wants to help its own companies expand in the Indian market. He described the region as a leader in advanced manufacturing, energy, materials, sustainable aviation and defence, and said the FTA would support its ambitions in these areas.

For the aviation sector, the most notable point is the region's plan to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Coppard said South Yorkshire is keen to speak with Indian investors interested in sustainable aviation and in new aviation routes into the United Kingdom.

He also pointed to recent proof of Indian interest in the region. South Yorkshire has secured a seven-figure investment from the Indian company Raghu Vamsey, which will create jobs, drawn by the region's advanced manufacturing expertise. Coppard described Sheffield as the second-fastest-growing core city in the UK and said the region offers Indian firms a skilled workforce and an established business ecosystem.

Beyond aviation and manufacturing, the region is also seeking investment in energy and materials. It is expanding opportunities in digital technology, AI, quantum computing and startups. On health, it has appointed a deputy mayor to build up its health economy, with a focus on preventive care.

Coppard added that the visit to India was the first overseas trip made together by the mayors of northern England. India was chosen because of the size of its market, the pace of its economic change and the range of opportunities it offers.

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