Tesco, the UK-based retail giant, is planning to open a new distribution centre in Karnataka, which is expected to generate 15,000 additional jobs, according to Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil.
The Minister also said Rolls-Royce, another UK-based company, was also actively exploring fresh investments in the State.
“The government will expedite all necessary processes to facilitate these companies’ plans,” he assured while speaking at a celebratory reception dinner hosted by the British Deputy High Commission in the City to mark the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Patil said the FTA pact was projected to boost bilateral trade by around £25 billion annually and was expected to help trade double approximately to £90 billion by 2030. The FTA would pave the way for duty-free access for 99% of India’s exports to the UK and 90% of UK exports to India. This, Mr. Patil noted, would mean more affordable products, greater market access for businesses, and a surge in commerce benefiting consumers and industries in both countries.
He urged the UK-based firms to leverage the State’s technology capabilities, robust infrastructure, and industry-friendly ecosystem.
Leading British firms such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Tesco, ARM, HSBC, and Aviva already have a significant footprint in Bengaluru and across Karnataka, Mr. Patil said.
Published – August 15, 2025 10:04 pm IST
