A helping hand to do business with India
A senior UK diplomat from southern India is coming to Cumbria to help businesses target this enormous and fast-growing market.
Paul Dryden MBE, the Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Trade at the British Deputy High Commission in Chennai, is leading a briefing at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s office in Carlisle on Tuesday October 1st, 9.30-11am.
This is free event. To register to attend, email catherynn@cumbriachamber.co.uk
Chamber Chief Executive Rob Johnston said: “We know that Brexit has led more businesses to explore markets outside the EU.
“None has more potential than India. It is the world’s sixth-largest economy and the fastest-growing economy in the G20. In the last two years India has moved up from 130 to 77 in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings.
“Last year UK exports to India grew by 17.3% to £7.6bn. Brexit will mean that India matters to the UK more than ever.
“Given all that, we were delighted when Paul Dryden offered to talk to potential exporters in Cumbria.
“We want to do everything we can to help Cumbrian businesses break into new markets. This is a great opportunity to get the inside track from a British diplomat working on the ground in southern India.”
Paul Dryden’s remit includes Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry, which have a total population of 104m, almost double that of the UK.
He will talk about the opportunities in South India and how Cumbrian businesses can make the most of them.
He said: “Tamil Nadu has so much to offer. The main sector areas are textiles, healthcare, automotive parts especially EV, green energy and large infrastructure projects where British companies are prominent.
“Many Indian companies are also looking to partner with UK companies in their field as well as setting up businesses outright.”
Paul has worked for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office since January 1990 and has been posted to many countries including Poland, Canada, Bermuda, Turkmenistan, India (twice), Mozambique, Kuwait and the Solomon Islands.
He was awarded an MBE in 2013 for services to UK prosperity.
© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce