INDIA

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.

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INDIA REPORT

IN THIS REPORT:

• Rupee appreciates about 7% during January, clawing back about half of 2011's fall of nearly 16% 
• Unexpected drop in food inflation leads to fall in wholesale inflation & hopes that interest rates may lower from March to kick-start a decelerating economy
• Foreign investors see value in India shares investing an impressive $2bn in Januaryalone.  
• Starbucks enters India's coffee cafes market through a 50:50 JV with Tata Global Beverages, the world's second largest tea-brands company. 

 

 WORLD TRADE CENTRE HULL & HUMBER


As part of a global network of over 330 World Trade Centres in more than 90 countries, World Trade Centre Hull & Humber helps overseas companies do business in the UK and provides expertise, practical support and contacts to help UK companies exploit international market opportunities.

To find out more click www.wtchumber.com

Trade Mission Visits

BOMBAY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION

www.biaindia.org

A 15-strong delegation from the Bombay Industries Association (BIA) were in the North West on 17th & 18th May, spending time in the Lake District before visiting Manchester and Liverpool.

The group learned more about the benefits of doing business in our region from:

• UKTI's India Business Unit in the North West
• The Manufacturing Institute Manchester
• Manchester City Council
• The Northwest Development Agency
• MIDAS (Manchester's inward investment agency)
• The Mersey Partnership
• Jaguar Land Rover, Halewood
• The North West Automotive Alliance

The aim of the visit was for the Indian companies to link with these key organisations to engage their assistance and support in establishing partnerships, joint ventures and a forum in which to exchange Research & Development invitatives with businesses in the North West.

Sandra Brusby OBE, Head of UKTI’s India Business Unit in the North West, which organised the meetings in co-operation with the NWDA said: "We were delighted to welcome the BIA delegation and I'm confident they will make some excellent contacts with relevant sector businesses in the North West.".

The visiting companies were:

Holographic Security Marking Systems Pvt Ltd

Unipack Machines Pvt Ltd

Energy Pack Boilers Pvt Ltd

Shivai Fabricators P. Ltd

R K Cable Corporation

Universal Wire Ropes

ShriRam Gear Boxes Pvt Ltd

Naik Construction & Industries

Samarth Engineering Industries

DNL Exports (India)

JSW Steel Ltd

If you would like to contact any of the above companies to explore potential business opportunities email your business details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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..

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 OBE, 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 sustainable 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

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.

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.