Showcase Video For The AJBN Flagship Event

I don’t always get the opportunity to be part of the creative team behind productions and be interviewed alongside many others in a showcase video. It was great to be part of the video production and contribute to a successful production. The showcase video is a great reminder of the power of corporate videos and investment in film & TV projects.

I’m delighted to be working closely with Kerstin Craig of Lucky Jumper Films and colleague, former Sky Sports producer, Tejas Kotecha of Tejas Kotecha Communications. Who both played key roles in the production of the showcase video.

We enjoyed capturing many of the event highlights on video, including interviews with exhibiting businesses and attendees top networking tips. It is always a refreshing experience. The AJBN showcase video highlights the great value that corporate videos and investment in film & TV can bring.

Watch The Showcase Video

Professional & Engaging Corporate Videos For Your Business

Video marketing is a powerful, but often an untapped marketing tool. It can secure excellent exposure and engagement for your business in an innovative, unique and cost-effective way.

If your business is looking to create a professional and engaging corporate video to attract new clients or educate its audience, equip its teams with the latest communication and presentation skills to win business or improve, we can help.

We also help businesses reach businesses, customers and communities across the globe through promotion and sponsorship opportunities in film & TV. Our opportunities include product placement and film investment, both of which can be beneficial to businesses across a range of sectors.

Contact Ash To Discuss How Corporate Videos And Film & TV Projects Can Benefit Your Business

Get in touch with me to find out how a new corporate video or involvement with a film & TV project through a promotion or sponsorship opportunity can help your business reach new audiences in an innovative and cost-effective way.

Email ash@ashverma.com to discuss how my corporate video, film & TV partners and I could help your business.

“Economic growth and trade agreements go hand in hand, especially in times of global turbulence characterised by wars, conflicts and indeed tariff negotiations and various challenges”.

That was my key message on 26 September 2025, during my presentation as a panel member at the Hindu Economic Forum (HEF), UK’s networking and business engagement event organised to celebrate the first anniversary of its Buckingham and Berkshire Chapter.

HEF, whose focus is economic empowerment, currently operates in 13 countries with over 40 chapters, including five thriving in the UK: London, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, Glasgow, South London, and Edinburgh.

The event held at Harrow District Masonic Council, attracted a distinguished audience of over 100 professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and changemakers eager to explore how this landmark deal can be harnessed for real economic growth.

The FTA

Origins and purpose

The FTA is a 30 Chapter document and subject to ratification by both Parliaments and legal processes and expected to deliver from early 2026 onwards, is based on the 2030 Roadmap between the UK and India signed in 2021, which set out the foundations or pillars of a comprehensive strategic partnership. These are enhanced trade, investment, defence cooperation and mobility of people.

Key highlights

• Boost trade by an additional £25.5bn a year by 2040 (£42bn last year), with all UK regions are projected to benefit from the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• Significantly reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers on a wide range of goods – UK has committed to phasing out import duties on nearly 99% of Indian exports—including textiles, footwear, marine products, and jewellery sectors. India will also lower its historically steep tariffs on Scotch whisky, high-end automobiles, and medical equipment.
• Expand market access in services through provisions of cooperation and mutual recognition of qualifications.
• Introduce a landmark Social Security Agreement, under which Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK will be exempt from double social security contributions.
• Include forward-looking chapters on digital trade, intellectual property, sustainable development, and investment facilitation, to ensure that the overall framework remains adaptable to future economic transitions.

Benefits

For businesses

• Gains for services and manufacturing industries
• Consumers will see lower prices on Indian goods including food, clothing, and footwear
• Increased export opportunities and investment across many sectors such as services, automotive, clean energy and environment, digital & technology, creative Industries
• Specific regions and businesses, like Wales-based Concrete Canvas and the West Midlands, are also identified as potential beneficiaries, with job creation and growth anticipated across the country
• Job creation as a result of the expected boost in trade
• Increased GDP and Wages – the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) estimates the FTA will increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion annually and boost UK wages by £2.2 billion, benefiting communities across the country

For Consumers

• Greater choice
• Consumer protection

Insights From The HEF Panel

As an Advisor to HEF, it was pleasing for us to help organise the panel interaction and be an active player on the panel itself.

Fellow panellists included Siddharth Mukne, Mitul Ruparelia, Sachin Nandha. The panel was moderated by HEF UK Vice President, Subhash Thakrar, OBE, and Dr Gautam Sen provided an interesting geo-political theme to the FTA.

The panel’s collective insights on the UK–India FTA went far beyond policy. They offered clear, practical perspectives on how businesses can seize new opportunities, overcome challenges, and benefit from this landmark agreement. Each speaker’s contribution added a unique dimension — from trade facilitation and finance to entrepreneurship and international relations.

The feedback from members and attendees has been resounding: the session was not only informative but also highly practical, inspiring, and action oriented. It offered clarity on how businesses can adapt to the evolving trade landscape, while instilling confidence in the prosperity this agreement can unlock.

In short, the audience feedback hailed the session as “enlightening, inspiring, and immediately actionable.”

Find Out More About The FTA And International Trade Opportunities

For further information on the FTA and how to benefit from the opportunities that the various states in India and its T1, T2 and T3 cities have to offer, email ash@ashverma.com

This was my opening remark at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry – FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians (FOP) delegation’s interaction kindly hosted by Brunel University of London on 12 September 2025 with business leaders, academics, professionals, Hillingdon Council, and Indian students.

The FTA, which is subject to ratification by both Parliaments and is expected to begin to deliver from early 2026 onwards, will eliminate tariffs on most goods, ease market access for services and lead to billions in new trade and investment.

Indian companies will gain greater entry into the UK market, while British exports ranging from food and beverages to high-end engineering products will see tariffs slashed in India. Here are some highlights:

• The deal will boost trade by an additional £25.5bn a year by 2040 (£42bn last year).
• The UK will lower taxes on goods imported from India on clothing and footwear, food products including frozen prawns, jewellery and gems and some cars.
• India will lower taxes on goods imported from the UK including cosmetics, scotch whisky and gin, soft drinks, higher-value cars, food – lamb, salmon, chocolate and biscuits, medical devices, aerospace, and electrical machinery.

FICCI, with whom we have a longstanding partnership, is the largest and oldest apex business organisation and the voice of business and industry in India.

The Forum of Parliamentarians (FOP) is a unique initiative within FICCI and engages at the bilateral and multilateral levels through inbound and outbound delegations and exchanges with elected representatives, industry, policy experts, think tanks, universities, media, and counterpart organisations across the globe. FOP’s objective is to promote soft-power diplomacy and to ensure engagement of diverse political landscapes for exchange of best political and business practice.

India is expected to be the third largest economy in the world in the next few years, with each of its states focusing on development and growth of Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities. This can help to complement the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and economic growth across all regions.

For information on how to explore business and investment opportunities between the UK and India, or questions about the FTA, please email ash@ashverma.com