A delegation of business leaders from Gujarat toured Birmingham last week to promote India’s western-most state as an investment destination, to learn more about the West Midlands region and develop a bilateral relationship with the UK.
The group, comprising 15 Gujarati business leaders from backgrounds including financial services, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, explored key attractions and areas in Birmingham such as the Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth and Snowhill, and found out about the city’s key business sectors.
The delegation was also in the city to promote Vibrant Gujarat, an international investment summit that takes place in India every two years.
The summit was established in 2003 to increase investment in Gujarat and has now become a forum for companies around the world to exchange ideas, network and explore potential business opportunities.
BC Pradhan, consulate general of India, who worked with inward investment agency Business Birmingham to organise the visit, said: “The day provided a valuable opportunity to continue our concentrated and co-ordinated efforts to promote economic relationships and establish further ties between Birmingham, the UK and India.
“It allowed the delegation not only to find out more about Birmingham’s history and culture, but also its key sectors including textiles, renewable energy and
manufacturing.”
Nicola Hewitt, commercial director of Marketing Birmingham, which operates Business Birmingham, highlighted how “the West Midlands trades goods to the value of £900 million with India each year, exporting about £280m.”
Prior to their visit, the Gujarati delegation had visited London and Manchester. The group will be exploring other major UK cities in the coming weeks.
Mamta Verma, industries commissioner of the government of Gujarat, who led the delegation, said: “Gujarat is an entrepreneurial state and one of the most industrialised areas in India. We want to partner with UK cities to share resources.”
