UK seeks Punjabi investors

Vikram singh · #1 (**permalink**) 28-08-2007, 06:04 AM

Chandigarh, August 27
Punjabi entrepreneurs have been in great demand, both in the UK and Punjab.
While leader of the opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal made a fervent appeal in Birmingham yesterday to UK-based Punjabi NRIs to make their motherland their destination for investments, a team of the UK Trade & Investment will be holding seminars, both in Chandigarh and Ludhiana, this week to invite entrepreneurial Punjabis to make the UK their new business destination.
This interesting development is beyond a mere coincidence as it indicates a reversal of trend with more and more Punjabis having a fairly good representation in Fortune 500 companies.
Bhattal, who addressed members of the Indian community as part of the Independence Day celebrations, wanted Punjabi NRIs to contribute and repay their debt to their motherland with their investments. She said the previous Congress government established a separate NRI department to assist them in the speedy redress of their grievances.
The British high commissioner to India during his farewell visit to Punjab some weeks also talked about boosting the UK’s business relations with the Punjabi community. The visit of the UK Trade & Investment group to Chandigarh on August 29 and Ludhiana on August 30 is an effort to enhance its engagement with the entrepreneurs of Punjab.
Jane Owen, director, UK Trade & Investment, India, says:
"The entrepreneurial characteristic of the Punjabi community is well known — in the UK we recognise it and celebrate it. Therefore, it is only natural for the UK to enhance its business relations with the next generation of entrepreneurs in Punjab, across all sectors.
"The UK is a vibrant, diversified economy that offers opportunities for companies to prosper and realise their international potential. That is why Indian investment into the UK is at an all-time high. In the first half of 2007, Tata-Corus ($9 bn) and UB-Whyte and Mackay (£ 600 m) alone pushed India onto the big league of investors in the UK.
"So, if you have an exciting business idea, or are keen to expand your business overseas, UK Trade & Investment experts will assist you through the journey. Our network of experts will help you reduce the cost, time and risk involved in selecting the right partner or location in the UK."
The Confederation of Indian Industry and the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry support the Chandigarh and Ludhiana seminars.
Representatives will accompany the visiting team from four regional development agencies --- Think London, One North East, British Midlands and Invest Northern Ireland.

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News