LONDON, March 18 – The UK has announced plans to invest over 1.1 million pounds (US$1.51 million) in a new pan-India network of British business centres following Prime Minister David Cameron’s recent visit to India, Press
Trust of India (PTI) reported.
The first centre will be set up in New Delhi later this year followed by Mumbai with the aim of establishing up to six such facilities across the country by 2017. The centres form part of a global initiative to strengthen British business networks in 20 overseas markets, with the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) leading the Indian centres and supported by the British Business Groups (BBG) in India.
The centres are designed to transform the quantity and quality of support available to British businesses particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) seeking to enter or expand in India. The move comes close on the heels of Cameron’s second visit to India, who was accompanied by the largest business delegation ever taken by a British PM to any overseas market.
“I am delighted that the government has asked UKIBC to lead the transformation of business support in India; India’s growth is an opportunity, not a threat, for Britain,” said UKIBC chair Patricia Hewitt.
“The more British businesses that trade, invest and innovate with Indian partners, the more we will create jobs, growth and prosperity at home,” she said.
BERNAMA
