SCDI Trade Mission to India 6 – 10 February
2006
06-02-2006
India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world
with GDP growing by 6.9% in 2004. Economic momentum is gathering
and the reform agenda is on track. In 2003, UK/India bilateral
trade was worth around £5.8 billion and India is currently
the UK’s 15th largest export market.
India’s substantial potential and rapidly expanding middle
class makes it an attractive market for exporters. Economic reforms
have opened up most areas to foreign direct investment and interest
rates and tariffs are coming down. Key sectors for UK companies
include Water, Transport, Education, Construction, Biotechnology,
Agri-business, Healthcare, ICT, Oil and Gas, Aerospace, Creative
and Media, Engineering, Environment, Financial Services and Power.
The trade mission will arrive in New Delhi over the weekend
4/5 February. The business period of the mission is Monday 6
February to Friday 10 February. You have the option of planning
your own itinerary within India but should be in New Delhi on
Monday 6 February to attend the proposed briefing meeting and
mission reception. In addition, the mission has been planned
to coincide with the opening of Scotland House on the Monday.
Scotland House New Delhi is a not-for-profit initiative led by
Dr Charan Gill MBE of Harlequin Group and John McGlynn of Airlink
Group. It is designed to build business links between Scotland
and India and to assist Scottish companies who want to expand
their business there. A highly successful Scotland House is already
established in Tallinn, Estonia.
At this stage, it is intended that those who wish to visit Mumbai
will transfer there on Tuesday 7 February. Fifteen grants of £550
are available for SMEs and educational institutions provided
that they pass a business health check carried out by their local
Business Gateway. You can apply for financial assistance regardless
of the number of previous mission visits you have made.
Flexibility is the key on an SCDI mission and apart from attendance
at the briefing meeting and reception, you are entirely free
to pursue you own business objectives and include your visit
in a wider itinerary if you wish. Preliminary market research,
appointing an agent, researching possible joint ventures, visiting
existing customers are all valid reasons for participation for
manufacturing and service companies alike.
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