Shimla: Eying business collaborations in Himachal Pradesh, British High Commission’s Trade and Investment executives are seeking out opportunities in infrastructure development, renewable power, tunneling, education, horticulture, business services, investments, retailing and creativity industry like computer animations.
Talking to reporters, Paul Grey, head of trade and investment, who is here to explore business possibilities said that climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh was very suitable for British nationals to carry out reciprocal businesses between India and UK.
He mentioned 3i was a billion dollar British company interested in infrastructure projects like plans by Himachal Pradesh government for constructing an international airport.
Halcrow, another British company, was part of the consortium that had been awarded a major hydro power project in Himachal, he said.
Other company’s interested in investing in the region specialized in providing technical support, designing, tunneling, consultancy and renewable power sectors , said Grey.
He said that 18 percent of Information Technology (IT) revenues the Indian industry derived was from UK.
Mentioning big ticket British company investments in India like oil major BP taking a $7 billion stake in Reliance Industries, Vodaphone taking over Hutch and Cairn Energy oil find in Barmer, Rajasthan, Jane Sanders, deputy head Trade and Investment said that education was another area where Britian and Himachal Pradesh could collaborate.
The serene climate was very conducive for creativity industry like the computer animation for cult figures like Harry Potter, Shakespeare Tales and other popular stories, she said.
There were also opportunities for businesses from here to export agri products especially herbs for ready to eat meals to UK, said Sanders.
Bilateral trade between India and Britain for 2009 was 11 billion pounds, with India contributing 6 billion and UK 5 Billion pounds.
Along with members from PHD Chamber, Sanders and Grey also met chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Thursday and held a meeting with government officials on Friday. On Thursday, head and deputy head of UK Trade & Investment, India also made a presentation before industrialists at Baddi.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
