British trade office opens in Pune

In an effort to further the bilateral business relations between India and the UK, a British trade office was opened in Pune on Tuesday.

Andrew Cahn, chief executive officer of UK trade and investment (UKTI) inaugurated the office, at the MCCIA Trade Towers of the upcoming International Convention Centre. British Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai Vicki Treadell, was present for the inauguration.

The decision to open a trade office in Pune has come in the wake of increasing UK investments in Pune and its surrounding area, as well as the expanding business interests of Pune-based firms in the UK, Kahn said.

There are over 100 Pune-based firms who are in some way connected with British industry.

The office will extend services such as information, consultancy and market surveys, besides working as a mechanism to bring together prospective investors on either side. Kanh pointed out that India was the second largest foreign investor in Britain and Britain was the third largest investor in India.

Treadell said the diverse nature of Pune's industrial profile made it attractive for UK-based companies.

Among the specific areas that can interest British investors would be automotive components, in formation technology, agriculture and financial services in addition to the sunrise areas of biotechnology and clinical research, she added.