PM supports opening of Mumbai trade centre
Above: Prime Minister David Cameron.
As a result, British corporates in India and in the UK will have a seamless business-led trade support and service platform combined with business orientated policy advocacy voice.
The combined reach of the three UKIBC hubs will cover those significant regions in India where the majority of commercial and economic activities lie. The UKIBC plans to build on this reach and network by opening three more Centres across India by 2017.
This announcement is a clear sign of the UK Government's strong commitment to India and to creating a business-led, business run pan-Indian network supporting UK companies, especially SMEs, to enter and prosper in the fast-growing Indian market.
On the announcement, Richard Heald, Group CEO, UKIBC said: "We welcome Prime Minister David Cameron's continuing commitment to India and to the support of the UK India Business Council. We can represent and support UK businesses in India. The Centres will be pivotal to the strategy of all UK corporates engaging with India. The UKIBC can act as a voice on issues which matter to them, as well as provide a "home away from home" for British businesses. The accelerated roll-out programme underscores the success of the Prime Minister's initiative and further re-enforces the concept underlying the UK India Business Centres."
Kalyan Bose president of the BBG Delhi (the chapter currently holding the National Presidency of the BBGs) and UKIBC India board member said: "I am extremely pleased that the third UK India Business Centre will be opened in Mumbai next year and am sure that BBG Mumbai members will find the facilities and services very useful. We look forward to working together with UKIBC for the mutual benefit of members of both organisations and to support the growth of the UK India business relationship."
Stuart Milne, chairman of the BBG Mumbai said: "We support wholeheartedly the Prime Minister's focus on developing trade and investment between the UK and India and look forward to working closely with the new Mumbai office of UKIBC. This kind of practical support for UK SMEs looking to do business in India is exactly what is needed to ensure future growth."
Explaining the government support for developing British business networks in India, Barry Lowen, director, UKTI, said: "India is one of the major growth stories of the 21st century and offers real opportunities to UK companies. With our business partners in the UKIBC and British Business Groups, we are making sure that they get the support they need to win the business."
Heald added: "We look forward to working with the UKTI and the BBGs to ensure the success of the Overseas Business Networks initiative, which offers real support to the trade efforts of UK plc and in particular British SMEs. India has tremendous opportunities, and is developing its own indigenous capabilities quickly which UK expertise can complement. This assistance offers companies support in accessing these opportunities."
The UK and India enjoy particularly strong commercial links. India is the third largest investor in the UK, and indeed is the most popular business destination in Europe for Indian companies. Of the 1,200 Indian companies operating in the European Union, over 900 operate in the UK.
