Nottingham is set to forge closer business links with India as part of a renewed focus on trade in the country for local companies.
As a city understandably proud of its international connections, a visit planned for this month will build on an initial scoping trip which took place back in February. This yielded a number of opportunities that will be followed up next month.
Representatives from Nottingham City Council will be visiting Punjab and Delhi on the 16th -19th June as the city looks to broaden its economic horizons and enable stronger trade opportunities with India. David Bishop, Corporate Director of Development, and Chris Henning, Director of Economic Development will be joined by a representative of the private-sector Invest in Nottingham Club and a small delegation of local business owners.
Commenting on the trip, David Bishop said:
“This visit is a fantastic opportunity for us to continue our focus on making links with India. There are many opportunities on each side that we want to pursue and we aim to build on existing trade and sporting links to enhance these. Nottingham has a lot to offer as a vibrant business destination and we need to spread that message further afield. At the same time, we want to ensure that Nottingham businesses see an open gateway to trade with India and our visit will be focused on building these relationships as well.”
The visit is part of a series of targeted events that will take place over the following months, when Nottingham is set to host the England v India test match in July at Trent Bridge that will bring international focus on the city.
It will include a packed schedule of meetings with potential investors in which the city will be showcased, and an investor-focused event organised in partnership with UK Trade and Investment and the Deputy High Commission. There will be a special focus on ICT and Life Sciences, as key sectors where Nottingham has an unique offer.
Nottingham has a large existing Indian business community, who have been highly supportive of the trip. Indeed, the chair of Invest in Nottingham Club’s India Interest Group, Thalej Vasishta, will also be attending.
With business start-up rates in Nottingham climbing, new financing and infrastructure improvements presenting new opportunities for business, working with private-sector partners to target certain international markets is vital for the city’s economic success.
Councillor Nick McDonald, Portfolio Holder for Jobs and Growth said:
“Ever since the Growth Plan was implemented two years ago, we’ve been building the city’s strength as a world-class business location. Now that we’re beginning to see those programmes bearing real fruit, its time for a renewed focus on strengthening international relationships, both to attract foreign investment and also to give our home-grown companies a bigger platform overseas.”
Businesses interested in finding out more about the trip are asked to contact Sam Hopwell at Invest in Nottingham at sam.hopwell@investinnottingham.com
Posted on 12 June 2014
