Britain keen to promote bilateral trade

Panaji, Apr 11 (UNI) Britain is keen to boost bilateral trade and investment in the tourism sector in Goa as about 70 per cent of the foreign tourists visiting the state are from the UK.

''Goa is a jewel in the crown of India and we make all efforts to push tourism and related industries in this paradise for tourists,'' said the British Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai Ms Vicki Treadell.

She was interacting with UNI on the sidelines of soft-lunching of the British Business Group(BBG) in Goa with the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry(GCCI) as its strategic partner here last evening.

''The idea behind the formation of the BBG is to provide a forum for British and Indian companies and individuals to meet, exchange ideas and network in friendly and informal surroundings,'' Ms Treadell said.

The formation of the BBG in Goa is a reflection of growing Indo- British ties in the state, especially in areas of travel, tourism and pharmaceutical sectors.

Panaji, the capital city of Goa will be the fourth centre in the western region to have a BBG after Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.

The success of the BBG in other centres could be replicated in Goa, particularly in tourism sector, which is the mainstay of revenue for the state, she said.

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