A high-powered CEOs delegation led by Mr. Sumit Mazumder, President, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is visiting UK from 8-10 July, 2015. The visit aims to strengthen collaboration with diverse stakeholders – including government institutions, industry bodies, academia, think tanks, media and the Diaspora – and enhance the overall bilateral economic relationship. The visit comes at an opportune time with the recent re-election of Prime Minister Cameron in the UK and ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s anticipated visit to the country in November.
The UK continues to be the most popular business destination in Europe for Indian companies – in fact, India has emerged as the third largest investor in the UK economy, with more Indian FDI being pumped into UK than the rest of Europe combined and there is a huge potential for UK-India cooperation in engineering and manufacturing sectors under the Make in India initiative. With new policies in India, particularly aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the country, there is significant opportunity to enhance foreign institutional investment into India.
During the course of the two and a half days, several engagements have been lined up to deliberate on some of the most important economic issues in the bilateral agenda and examine the future bilateral engagement strategies of both countries as well as the opportunities for business enhancement and collaboration.
The delegation will participate in the annual conference on “The Future of India-UK Economic Relations” being organized by CII in partnership with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) where John Cridland CBE, Director General of CBI is expected to speak, alongside the CII leadership, HE Ranjan Mathai, High Commissioner of India to UK and Mr. Kumar Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner and Director General - India, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). A Business Roundtable on the “Make in India” initiative with the CII CEOs and members of UK India Business Council will be hosted by the High Commission of India. In addition, a discussion with institutional investors is being held with the London Stock Exchange and SBICAP. A bi-partisan, bi-cameral UK-India Roundtable with several members of the UK Parliament is planned at Westminster. Furthering regional connect, the delegates will explore “India’s Leadership in the Commonwealth” with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and also sign an agreement entering into a strategic partnership. The delegation will look at strengthening Manchester-India ties via business, technology, academic and sports collaboration with MIDAS, National Graphene Institute, University of Manchester and Manchester United. To generate thought leadership and exchange perspectives on geopolitical and economic affairs, the delegates will also engage in a closed-door discussion with experts at Chatham House.
At several occasions, the delegation is expected to meet with Rt Hon Hugo Swire, Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Rt Hon Oliver Letwin, Minister for Government Policy and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Rt Hon John Whittingdale, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Mr Dominic Jermey OBE, CEO, UKTI.
Members of the delegation include Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry; Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman, Hero Corporate Service Limited; Mr Rajive Kaul, Chairman, Nicco Corporation Limited; Mr Dhruv M Sawhney, Chairman and Managing Director, Triveni Turbine Limited; Mr Shekhar Datta, Director, Wockhardt Limited; Dr Rajiv I Modi, Chairman and Managing Director, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited; Mr Shaurya V Himatsingka, National Chairman, Young Indians (Yi) and Deputy Managing Director, India Carbon Limited; Mr Salil Singhal, Chairman and Managing Director, PI Industries Limited; Ms Rajshree Pathy, Chairman and Managing Director, Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals Limited; Mr Sunil Kaushal, Regional Chief Executive Officer- India and South Asia Standard Chartered Bank; Mr John Mulhall, Chief Financial Officer, Tata Chemicals Limited; and Mr Raghu Kailas, National Vice Chairman, Young Indians (Yi) and Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Unimo Exports Pvt Limited.
