UK Trade and Investment Minister to visit Kolkata

Kolkata, Nov 18: UK Minister for Trade and Investment and Foreign Affairs Ian McCartney would visit India from November 23 to 27 to accelerate Indo-British trade and investment.

The minister, who is visiting India for the first time, is beginning his tour in Kolkata, where he has engagements with the West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and trade and industry leaders.

He would also inaugurate an income generation project being run by a non-governmental organisation.

In New Delhi, Mr McCartney would address the Indian Economic Summit and meet Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath and other senior government officials.

Speaking about Mr McCartney's visit, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India, Mr Simon Wilson said, "I am delighted that the minister is coming to India so soon after the UK foreign secretary's visit. This will give a further boost to the already strong Indo-British business relationships. "It is encouraging to know that the minister will begin his first India tour in Kolkata which highlights the increasing importance that the UK is placing on eastern India," he said.

UNI