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On behalf of UK Trade & Investment, the Northwest Development Agency & the UK India Business Council, Business Venture is involved in organising India-focussed events for North West businesses – all with the specific aim of encouraging and promoting bilateral trade with India. Coming soon: A new programme of events for 2010
Doing Business with India
Although working within an exceptionally tight time frame of just 2 weeks, we were able to attract more than 60 North West business people to attend a Doing Business with India event at the International Business Centre, Warrington on 15th December. We were particularly pleased to have been invited by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the UKIBC to host this event in the North West as traditionally CII visiting delegations rarely venture outside London.
Pictured L-R: Steven Broomhead (NWDA), Mr C Gururaj Rao (Consul General of India), Sandra Brusby OBE (India Business Unit North West), Mr R Dinesh (TVS Logistics Services Ltd), Keith Johnson ( Addleshaw Goddard) Gaurav Bhandari (Ex-Im Bank of India) & Dr Gunveena Chadha (CII)
Working with Dr Gunveena Chadha, the recently appointed Head of the CII in the UK, we welcomed a visiting delegation from TVS Logistics Services Ltd, India which has recently taken over Multipart Holdings UK, based in Chorley. TVS President Mr S Ravichandran and MD, Mr R Dinesh were among those who attended the event, together with Multipart MD Chris Gateley and a 4-strong delegation of Indian journalists covering their visit to the North West. The group were particularly keen to address and network with NW businesses to further assess the attractiveness of doing business in this region. In turn – evidenced by the excellent turnout so close to Christmas and the fact that virtually all the delegates were at MD or CEO level – North West businesses were as keen to assess any available opportunities for them to do business with India.
The event was hosted by NWDA/UKIBC and opened by NWDA Chief Executive Steven Broomhead who confirmed that India was very much “on the radar” as far at the NWDA was concerned. He described the region as an excellent place to do business and was delighted that the delegation had chosen to meet businesses in our area
Keith Johnston (left), Partner at Addleshaw Goddard LLP Manchester chaired the event. Guest speakers included Mr Dinesh from TVS Logistics and Gaurav Bhandari, Head of the Export-Import Bank of India in Europe. We were especially pleased to welcome the new Consul General of India Mr C G Rao. Having heard of the work of the India Business Unit in the North West, Mr Rao said he had been keen to visit the region and meet key business leaders and felt this event offered the ideal opportunity.
A lively question and answer session was well received during the event, as was a more detailed panel discussion where businesses could explore the challenges and successes of bilateral trade. Anshul Kapoor from Image Foundry Studios, Manchester discussed aspects of how his company had established their base in Delhi and Mr Dinesh and Mr V Venkatesan, Senior Vice President of Hindujja Automotive
We received some very positive feedback from those attending, including
“Well done on an excellent event to showcase NW England as a key investor destination for Indian businesses”
“A well attended high profile event”
“Very interesting to hear from people with direct experience of operating in a different culture”
“I was extremely impressed by Mr Dinesh’s contributions and had the opportunity of subsequently speaking with him”
“The networking with CII, Exim Bank and TVS was invaluable”
“Thanks for organising this event at such short notice and for the excellent arrangements”
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Transforming the Textiles Landscape: Past, Present & Future
Held at Bolton University on 1st October 09, this was the first of several being organised by the North West chapter of theNext Generation Network. Led by Imran Hakim, in his role as NW Ambassador, the event was attended by around 120 people and featured key speakers from the Textiles industry in theregion as well as from Bolton University.
Organised in co-operation with UKTI, UKIBC, Business Link North West, TiE, the IoD and NWtexnet, feedback to date has been very positive with "fast paced and interesting", "good quality speakers & attendees" and "the turnout was impressive" among the comments to date.
Further NextGen events focussed on other aspects of NW industry and business sectors are being planned – details to be announced once dates and venues have been finalised.
Insight India Series - 15th May 2009 at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Manchester . This was the second of 3 events organised by the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and aimed at addressing the keyissues related to doing business in the current environment.. Main areas addressed included Macroeconomic indicators, Risks, Operations, HR, Policy & Regulations, Taxation, Accountancy practices, Legal frameworks and Marketing. Among the guest speakers were Sharon Bamford, CEO of the UKIBC and representatives from KPMG, HSBC, ALMT Legal and Kinetic Cubed Ltd. The event also featured cultural briefings to assist businesses looking to become involved with Indian markets.
India Business Clinics - 9th May at the International Business Centre, Warrington. One of 6 business clinics hosted by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) across the UK which highlighted the opportunities existing for UK companies in the ICT and Life Sciences sectors in India. UKTI Sector specialists came from India to share details of the many opportunities on offer. Businesses who attended were also able to meet on a one-to-one basis with UKTI International Trade Advisers as well as the India sector leaders.
Emerging Cities in India - 28 May 2009 at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. Identifying India’s rising stars – in terms of cities and people – is vital for UK business. The rapid industrialisation of India has generated a wealth of business opportunities outside of the traditional economic centres of Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore. The UK India Business Council has conducted a landmark research project to highlight these opportunities. Their report ''Opportunities for UK plc in Emerging Cities of India' was presented in CD format to delegates at the event and is available to all UKIBC members
Next Generation Network - During the Emerging Cities event, a new North West chapter of the UKIBC's Next Generation network was being launched. Headed by entrepreneur Imran Hakim of iTeddy & Dragon's Den fame, the network is aimed at young entrepreneurs and future business leaders interested in promoting UK India business relationships
To find out more about any of our India initiatives, call Sue Ainscough
on 01925 715 175 or email sue.ainscough@wbv.org.uk
