North East firms urged to compete in Indian market places

A HIGH-PROFILE delegation from the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC) has visited the region to urge companies to explore business opportunities on the sub-continent.

The UKIBC is chaired by the former Labour Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who visited the North East along with chief executive Richard Heald at the invitation of the North East Chamber of Commerce.

The UKIBC is the premier business-led organisation supporting the Government in the promotion of trade, business and investment between the two countries.

India is a key emerging market for North East businesses. Since the beginning of 2008 there has been almost a 40% increase in exports to Asia and Oceania from regional firms.

NECC export services manager Brian Dakers said: “With one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India has become a key market place North East firms should be targeting and while the region is performing fantastically in the field of exports, India offers us the potential to do so much more.

“We invited the UK-India Business Council to the region, to not only showcase the opportunities on the sub-continent, but also outline the support and guidance available to firms wanting to explore the market place.”