Haryana News- UK India Business Council opens its first Business Centre at Gurgaon

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 19, 2013: Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said that both Haryana and UK must synergize their strengths for mutual benefit. Haryana's buoyant economy, younger work force and large market can combine well with UK’s technological and skill prowess and financial resources leading to successful cooperation. 

Hooda was speaking at the launch of first UK India Business Centre of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) in Gurgaon today

The Centre was launched by UK Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Stephen Green. Chairperson of the Council, Patricia Hewitt, besides leading UK and Indian businessmen and policy makers were present on this occasion.

Hooda said that some mutual initiatives in the area of skill development are already under process. Tie-up with some of the leading UK universities in education sector offers another potential area. “I envision a greater collaborative effort between the UK India Business Council and State agencies, particularly Haryana State Industrial and Investment Development Corporation (HSIIDC), in furthering UK investments into Haryana”, added  Hooda.

He said that UK India Business Council, which is a lead organisation in promoting bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, has played a key role in creating and sustaining an environment in which free-trade and investment flourishes.”I understand this Business Centre at Gurgaon and the planned network of UK India Business Centres will provide services and assistance to UK businesses, especially the Small & Medium Enterprises, looking to enter or expand their business links in India. Small and Medium Enterprises have been globally recognised as an engine of economic growth and as key instrument for promoting equitable development”, he added.

Hooda said that here are immense opportunities for trade and long-term alliances in India, especially in the State of Haryana, which is right next to the national capital of India. The State accounts for just 1.3 per cent  of the total area of the country, however, it contributes nearly 3.4 per cent  to the national GDP.Haryana is one of the most progressive States in the country. During its 46 years of existence, the State has made comprehensive progress. From primarily being an agrarian state in the initial stages, it has emerged as one of the leading states in the country with a strong industrial base. Haryana today is a leader in manufacturing of a number of items and has become an ideal destination for industrialists and investors alike.

He said that maturity of our economy can be gauged from the fact that the manufacturing and services sectors contribute about 83% to the State economy. Haryana has shown considerable progress, especially in the last few years. The economic growth rate of 7.9 per cent is higher than the national growth rate of 6.2 per cent during 2011-12. Further, during the period of seven years 2005-06 to 2011-12, the State economy grew at an excellent average annual growth rate of 9.3 per cent, higher than the rate of growth of Indian economy at 8.5 per cent.

The Chief Minister said that progress of any State can be assessed from four broad parameters - per capita income, per capita investment, per capita plan budget and resource mobilisation, and Haryana leads on all these fronts. The state has more than 1000 industrial units with foreign technical and financial collaboration. We also have considerable presence of UK companies, about 80, with an investment of 275 million dollars.  He said that6 we realize that availability of world class infrastructure is necessary to facilitate sustainable development and flow of FDI into the State.

He said that major initiatives in the field of infrastructure have been initiated by the State like new expressways, up-gradation of national and  state highways, metro connectivity, and augmenting power and water supply. This is in addition to the emphasis given on creation on industrial infrastructure in the State including development of IMTs, Special Economic Zones, Transport Hubs, Technology Parks, Food Parks, Petrochemical Hub and Leisure Parks. Various mega projects are envisaged to be set up under Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project (DMIC), which is expected to further boost economic development in the State and provide investment opportunities. Haryana is one of the few States that have agreed to FDI in Retail, he added.

Hooda said that India and UK have enjoyed healthy trade and cultural relations with UK being one of the leading trading partners of India. Indian origin community in UK today numbers nearly two million and is one of the most prosperous and largest ethnic groups in the country, and a vital bridge between the two countries.

Lord Green said that UK India Business Centre will help small and medium entrepreneurs of UK and provide them necessary support to capitalize on the huge potential of Indian market. He also said that 6 such Centres will be opened in India. The second Centre will be established at Bangalore in first half of next year.

Earlier, welcoming the Haryana Chief Minister  Hooda, Patricia Hewitt said that we want more business in India and for that we have chosen Gurgaon in Haryana to established first Centre of UK India Business Council (UKIBC) in India.

Those present on this occasion, included British High Commissioner  James Bevan, Political Advisor to Haryana CM ,Virender Singh, Principal Secretary to Haryana CM S.S. Dhillon, MD of HSIIDC  Tarun Bajaj, former Minister  Karan Dalal and officers of district administration.