UK delegation on 3-day India visit to explore opportunities

Mumbai, Jan 17 (PTI) A 50-member delegation from England,led by UK Business Minister, is on a three-day visit here toexplore business opportunities in India.

"This is a follow-up after UK Prime Minister DavidCameron visited India six months ago. I am here with 50 UKcompanies to explore opportunities and to strengthen businessrelationship between both the countries," UK Secretary ofState for Business Innovation and Skills Vince Cable, whoarrived here today, told reporters.

He said after the major economic crisis, UK is witnessinga turnaround and is regarded as the safest market in Europe.

The bilateral trade between both the countries iscurrently at around 11 billion pound and 17 per cent ofexports to the European Union goes to the UK.

"We are ambitious about bilateral trade between both thecountries and are open for business and welcome more smallIndian companies to look at UK as their European destinationof choice," he said.

He said Britain is also open for immigration of skilledprofessionals to the country. "There are issues and problemsand we can overcome them together," he added.

In India, the delegation is mainly looking at thosesectors where UK has expertise and technology.

Britain''s strength lies in sectors like advancedmanufacturing, pharmaceuticals and life sciences,infrastructure and higher education and India can takeadvantage from it, he said.