PM David Cameron announces more support for UK corporates in India

UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, has announced the UK Government will support the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) working with the British Business Groups (BBGs) to open a third UK India Business Centre in Mumbai, the business capital of India, in the latter half of 2014.
 
As a result, British corporates in India and in the UK will have a “seamless business-led trade support and service platform” combined with a 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.
 
Richard Heald, Group CEO of the UKIBC, said: “We welcome 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.”
 
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 be 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.
 
 Any conference-related news? Email sarah@mashmedia.net