IMC 2017: UK eyes partnership with Digital India, Indian Tech companies

The UK's Department for International Trade (DIT) is partnering at the first ever Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2017, bringing a strong delegation of eight UK technologies companies and specialists, including Cobham, Culture Group, Inmarsat, Kloudpad, Kumulos, SysMech, Third Space Auto Ltd and Inspired Mobile.

The UK is the country partner with organisers Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), who are organising the three-day conference and exhibition along with the Government of India's Department of Telecom and Ministry of Communications Government of India and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The conference is creating a unique distinctive global platform for the telecommunication and allied industries in India. The UK trade delegation comprises of top names in the British technology industry along with agile and innovative technology start-ups.

Alexander Evans, Acting British High Commissioner to India will inaugurate the UK Pavilion at the conference that will showcase the UK's achievements in the technology sphere. He will address the session on 'Digital India' sharing UK's vision to partner with India.

"The United Kingdom is a global technology powerhouse. Our country is investing 740 million GBP from the National Productivity Investment Fund to ensure Britain remains at the forefront of digital innovation. Our trade delegation demonstrates our technological prowess, including leaders in state-of-the-art wireless connectivity solutions, satellite networks, data intelligence and digital skills platforms. We want to bring our cutting-edge technology and innovation to partner with initiatives like 'Digital India' and the smart cities programme," he said.

"The event is expected to be the largest of its kind, in this part of the world, and the ideal platform for two countries like India and the UK to showcase their potential as partners in the future development of technologies and the consequent overall social and economic advancement. As the world's second largest telecommunications market there is much that India can do for the UK in the areas of information and communications technology and vice versa," opined Rajan Mathews, Director General of COAI.

"Together, India and the UK have the potential to revolutionise many areas including financial technology, cyber security, skill development, as well as the research and development in the sector through innovation. There is a huge opportunity for the enhancing business relationships between our two countries through IMC2017 and we look forward to work alongside the UK for long time to come," he added.

Mischa Dohler, Professor in Wireless Communications at King's College London is visiting IMC as a part of the British delegation. He is an expert in driving cross-disciplinary research and innovation in technology; sciences and arts, at the conference he will speak about innovation through 'Internet of Things'.

Additionally, Mark Beresford, an international business development and technology specialist with DIT will meet Indian technology companies and discuss opportunities for Indian investments in UK.

India is the fourth largest investor in the UK with the technology and telecoms sectors comprise 31 percent of Indian investment in the UK.