India is the world's seventh largest country in area, occupying more than three million sq km (one million sq miles). With nearly 1 billion inhabitants (46% are under the ages of 19), India ranks second only to China amongst the world's most populous countries.
With such untapped potential, it is the perfect place to look for the future of your business.
To read more about the potential to do business in India, take a look at this report from the Commonwealth Business Council
Trade Mission Visits
Mission Visit to Mumbai & Ahmedabad
A strong contingent of North West businesses joined the UKIBC-led mission to Mumbai and Ahmedabad in December 09. The North West has a strong Gujarati community centred on Bolton and many businesses already have a number of business interests they are pursuing. After Ahmedabad a small group of businesses travelled to Surat to further business negotiations with another vibrant city.
Working closely with the NWDA & UKTI to assist businesses in achieving success in the Indian marketplace, it’s satisfying to see the hard work of the past few years starting to create tangible business results. UKIBC’s Emerging Cities Report has given businesses a real incentive to explore these relatively untapped markets by providing such sound information.
The NW mission group were accompanied by delegation leader Miles Templeman , Director General of the Institute of Directors .
The programme began with a welcome briefing in Mumbai and a Skills for Infrastructure seminar which updated UK delegates on Mumbai’s current infrastructure needs, with particular emphasis on skill and training requirements. There was also an opportunity for businesses to have company meetings or visit the World Trade Centre where delegates were able to interact with members of the All India Industries Association. For those involved in corporate governance issues, Miles Templeman led a Roundtable discussion with Mumbai-based businesses.
The Ahmedabad programme included a UK-India Partnership in Action Forum at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A). This featured speeches by Miles Templeman, Sharon Bamford (CEO of the UKIBC) and Vicki Treadell (British Deputy High Commissioner to Mumbai). The aim of the event was to highlight business opportunities in Ahmedabad and the UK’s interest and capability to work with companies in the region.
At the Forum, Sandra Brusby OBE (Head of UKTI’s India Business Unit in the North West) addressed panellists and businesses, outlining the NWDA’s “Soft Landing” programme. Yorkshire Forward, the South East and West Midlands regions had provided literature to attendees but as Sandra was in attendance, she was invited to discuss further details for the benefit of those present. The event was chaired by Paul Grey, Inward Investment promoter for the British High Commission, based in Delhi..
The first day’s programme in Ahmedabad concluded with a dinner hosted by the BDHC at which prominent local business people had been invited to meet the UK delegates. Apart from one-to-one meetings, the second day of the programme featured a Building Sustainable Cities Roundtable and an Infrastructure site visit to the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project, an initiative by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to regenerate the city’s waterfront area.
The following day several of the Bolton representatives took the opportunity travel to Surat to explore further business opportunities, where Sandra presented to local officials on behalf of NWDA, outlining the many opportunities available in the North West. This led to an invitation to return in the future to address members of the Chambers of Commerce in the region. An Urban Mobility Conference was held in Delhi from 3-5 December and delegates with an interest in urban transport were offered the opportunity to attend the conference.
L-R above are Dr Ajoy Bhattacharya (Vice President, Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce), Brian Thorp (UKIBC), Mr Rohit Mehta (President, Surat Diamond Association), Sandra Brusby, Sikander Badat (Bolton Council), Bob Chunilal (Nisyst Ltd, Bolton) and Ayyub Patel (Bolton Council)
UKIBC Ministerial Trade Mission to Delhi, Nagpur & Mumbai 
The city of Nagpur
North West business representatives were among a group of around 30 who joined the UKIBC’s ministerial mission to India in September 09.
The group visited the Commonwealth Games 2010 site in Delhi and the Habitat Centre at Lodhi Road before attending a high profile reception with the British High Commissioner Sir Richard Stagg. The delegation also spent 2 days in the emerging city of Nagpur, visiting the MIHAN airport project and attending a networking reception and dinner featuring a keynote speech by Sir Tom Harris of Standard Chartered Bank.
UKTI and the UKIBC worked with Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) and Vidarbha Economic Development Council (VEDC) in Nagpur to present an interactive business session on UK-India Partners in Action. The full day event was organised as part of the initiative to reach out to emerging Indian cities and develop partnerships between industry, business, academic institutions and governments.
Lord Mervyn Davies of Abersoch CBE, UK Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Business led the UK trade delegation and gave the keynote address. The interactive sessions offered an excellent opportunity to share experiences and explore potential collaborations/partnerships between industry and institutions from Nagpur and those from the UK. Special invited guests included Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS (Chairman of the Nagpur Improvement Trust) and Aseem Gupta, IAS, (Commissioner of the, Nagpur Municipal Corporation). The event featured a panel discussion on “Building Sustainable Cities”, which allowed delegates to share their experience
on sus
tainable design, technology parks, transport design and how holistic planning and development couldcatalyse economic growth and bring prosperity to its stakeholders, includingthose with interest in industry, commerce and public services. Sandra Brusby OBE (Head of UKTI’s India Unit in the North West) chaired the event and gave a presentation on behalf of the NWDA. Steve McKeown of the Mersey Partnership was also invited to present to delegates on the work of his organisation.
Steve McKeown addressing delegates in Nagpur
Later in the day, British Deputy High Commissioner Vicki Treadelladdressed delegates and Sharon Bamford, CEO of the UKIBC outlined the role of the UKIBC and its Emerging Cities initiative.
A networking lunch with the Minister, local business leaders, local government representations and delegates followed and opportunities were provided for businesses to have one to one meetings with their Indian
counterparts. Lord Davies (centre) with BDHC Vicki Treadell (left)
Later in the week, the group moved on to Mumbai for an event organised in conjunction with Bombay First called Mumbai – The Future, focussing on urban redevelopment, infrastructure and the future of Mumbai as a mega-city. In the evening the prestigious UKTI India Business Awards were held at the Taj Mahal Palace & Towers Hotel. Lord Davies was among those presenting awards.
The mission visit closed with BDHC Vicki Treadell, inviting high level businesses to meet North West delegates over a networking lunch.
On returning to the UK, Lord Davies made reference to the successful mission visit when responding to comments posted on his online “blog” about him representing UKplc in India. The writer wanted more help for the 15,000 smaller UK companies who export to India as it was a tough market for them when faced with India’s hidden trade barriers and lower compliance costs. In his response, Lord Davies confirmed that SME’s were very much a focus of the mission visit and said 90% of UKTI’s customers were SME’s.
Lord Davies confirmed that entry into any foreign market was a challenge but India continued to change and “open up” – and anyone concerned about trade barriers should seek help and advice from UKTI.
Emerging Cities in India - Launch of landmark research report
Sandra Brusby OBE, Head of UKTI's India Unit in the North West (front) pictured with Sharon Bamford (UKIBC) and, from the left: Imran Hakim, Keith Davies (Bolton Council), Graham Cartledge (Benoy), Ashok Kallumpram (Premier Textiles Ltd) & Clive Drinkwater (UKTI)
Despite a global recession, the North West launch of UKIBC’s landmark report – ‘Opportunities for UK Plc in the Emerging Cities of India’ – highlighted significant opportunities available to North West businesses.
Nine emerging cities have been identified including Ahmedabad which is dominant in the automotive, pharmaceutical and education sectors and Pune which is dominant in the automotive, ICT and general industrial sectors. Creative and media thrives in Goa which is also home to India’s International Film Festival and Chandigarh is a rapidly emerging centre for biotechnology.
Alongside a sector-by-sector breakdown of industry against city, the report also gives a number of diverse business case studies which clearly illustrate how to be successful in trading with these emerging cities. Businesses were further buoyed by the news that they don’t have to go it alone. UKTI has satellite offices in these emerging cities whcih give visiting companies access to
on-the-spot help and the use of hot desks. There are also a number of other support services here in the UK which are available to companies either free or at low cost.
Next Generation Network - New North West Chapter
The North West Chapter of the Next Generation network was launched during the Emerging Cities event with Entrepreneur Imran Hakim outlining his optimism for bringing together young entrepreneurs from the region. He will be assisted by a group of young busi
ness professionals keen to encourage and support the the 'next generation' in developing UK India business relationships. Working with him will be Khurshid Valli (Halliwells LLP, Manchester), Susmit Roy (HSBC Manchester), Mike Perls (MC2 Manchester) and Manoj Ranaweera (Northern Startup 2.0, Daresbury Innovation Centre, Warrington).
The new chapter will organise networking events for young entrepreneurs across the North West, offering access to online networking and newsletters.
North West Ambassador Imran Hakim pictured above with Brusby OBE (left) and Tara Panjwani of the UK India Business Council and, from the left: Mike Perls, Susmit Roy, Manoj Ranaweera and Khurshid Valli
NEW EVENT SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 2010 ....details soon
To find out more about the UKIBC and its events contact Brian Thorp on
01925 715175 or email brian.thorp@wbv.org.uk
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Exploring business opportunities in India
A Delegation of business leaders from India joined the British Deputy High Commissioner for Mumbai, Vicki Treadell, in Manchester to assess the North West's business opportunities.
The group met members of the region's business community at an India-themed dinner in Manchester to forge stronger business links.
Marks & Spencer joins with Reliance to open 50 stores in India
The retailer Marks & Spencer will open 50 stores in India over the next five years through a joint venture with Reliance Industries, the sub-continent's largest company.
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The UK Trade & Investment mission to Mumbai in February 09 included businesses from the North West. A high level delegation from Bolton Council were among the group and facilitated meetings for MIDAS Manchester and MediacityUK. The trip also incorporated a visit to the FICCI-FRAMES show, linking delegates with key creative and media companies from around the world where appropriate. As the biggest global convention in Asia focussing on the media and entertainment business, FRAMES attracts thousands of visitors from 35 countries during its 3 days.
The first event of the week was an introductory dinner hosted by the Bolton Council delegation. This set the scene for a very busy week of meetings, events and seminars, some with UKTI, some on a one-to-one basis and some involving the UKIBC. The following day, UKTI hosted a briefing session at the British Deputy High Commission to familiarise all delegates with the region and plans for the week. Inward investment to the North West and future potential joint ventures were among the key topics discussed.
One–to-one meetings with members of the All India Association of Industry proved particularly useful for many of the group and a visit was also arranged to view the impressive new UKIBC office at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. A very productive meeting was held with a local leading freight logistics company which allowed us to promote the benefits of forging links with the Port of Liverpool to boost business in both countries.
Keith Davies ( Bolton Council), Sandra Brusby OBE (right) & Sharon Bamford (UKIBC) at UK India Business Angel Network Event
The group were invited to join members of UK India Business Angel Network (UKIBAN) for a seminar on ‘Financing Your Global Ambitions” The session involved UK and Indian entrepreneurs and Angel Investors discussing the issues and challenges faced by both countries in this arena and how best UK Angels can support Indian entrepreneurs seeking to globalise their technology and media ventures. This seminar was followed by a cocktail reception with local UKIBC members, attended by around 80 businesses.
The Sheriff of Mumbai
An extremely successful and productive meeting was held with theSheriff of Mumbai, Dr Indu Shahani.
Dr Shahani extended a warm welcome to the delegation and spoke about plans to work with the London Business School to offer scholarships to Indian graduates..
Pictured left with members of the mission delegation are the, Sheriff of Mumbai Dr Indu Shahani (seated) & Sandra Brusby (MD of Business Venture)
'Slumdog Millionaire' star at Mumbai reception
There was s
ome excitement among the 80 guests at the reception hosted by British Deputy High Commission for Mumbai, Mrs Vicki Treadell when actor Mahesh Manjrekar from the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire arrived. Mahesh played the part of ‘villain’ Javed in the Mumbai-based film which earned a ‘Best Director’ Oscar for the North West’s Danny Boyle.
Pictured left are Sandra Brusby and Brian Thorp with 'Slumdog Millionaire' actor Mahesh Manjrekar
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New website launched Feb 2010 - access it now at
Business Venture represents the UKIBC in the North West following the appointment of Brian
Thorp as Regional Director. The UKIBC is the lead organisation supporting the British Government in the promotion of bilateral trade, business and investment between the two countries. It brings the two business communities together, helping to make the exchange of goods, services, ideas and capital as simple and profitable as possible.
Some of the key areas UKIBC can help you with are Insight & Information, Advisory Services, Market Entry, Workshops & Seminars, Partnering and Policy Formulation
If your company aspires to engaging with India - we can help you make it happen!
Contact us now for details of the tiered range of UKIBC membership
programmes offering support & assistance to reflect the needs of businesses.
CONTACT: Brian Thorp on 01925 715 175 or brian.thorp@wbv.org.uk
