| United Kingdom is the home for nearly 1.4 million overseas Indians with over one-third located in the heart of the region, London. A phenomenal mix of Indian professionals, technocrats and businessmen serve the economy of UK and continue to be recognised as India's dynamic brand ambassadors, portraying India's image wherever they go. |
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| In an effort to maximise the engagement of the resourceful Indian community settled in UK with 'Opportunity India', the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) in association with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, the Indian High Commission in London, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), hosted an Investment and Interactive Meet in London, on June 21, 2010. The Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), GOPIO International, UK India Business Council and Gateway Asia were the official partners of the Meet. |
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| The Meet was organised with the objective to apprise the Indian diaspora with a host of engagement opportunities existing in India and thereby providing them with the means to connect with India. |
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| A delegation from India, led by Dr A Didar Singh, Secretary of MOIA and Chairman of OIFC, participated in the Meet to invite the Global Indians to partner in India's emerging growth story and benefit from it. The business delegation included prominent players from the Indian industry such as Kotak Mahindra Bank specialising in banking and financial services, Everonn Education Ltd, City & Guilds in Skills Development and Training and BNP Paribas which specialises in infrastructure, among others. |
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| The Meet was attended by over 75 registered delegates comprising of professionals, HNIs and potential investors of Indian origin, exploring the growing Indian market. Lord Meghnad Desai, Dr Mohan Kaul, Lord Dilijit Rana and Lord Karan Bilimoria were some of the eminent Global Indians who participated in the conference. |
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| Mr R N Prasad, Deputy High Commissioner at the Indian High Commission in London, welcomed the delegates and highlighted the promising economic prospects existing in India which can be tapped by the dynamic Indian diaspora community to its advantage. Reiterating the existence of a favorable investment climate in India, the Secretary of MOIA informed the delegates about the various programmes spearheaded by MOIA to nurture and sustain the symbiotic relationship of the diaspora with India. Ms Shefali Chaturvedi, CEO of OIFC, spoke about OIFC as the focal point for expanding the economic engagement of the Overseas Indians with India. Various industry players from India presented the sector specific investment prospects that India has on offer for the diaspora. |
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| In general, the diaspora interests varied from identifying investment opportunities in promising sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing and services to seeking assistance in finding suitable business partners for their potential ventures and outsourcing opportunities in India. A couple of consular issues were raised and discussed during the Q&A session chaired by the Secretary of MOIA. |
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| Mr Anil Verma, the Minister for Economic Affairs at the Indian High Commission in London, in his closing remarks expressed the need of maintaining close synergies with the Government of India and working towards building strong inter linkages of the Indian diaspora with India. |
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| The Investment and Interactive Meet in London was followed by an Interactive Session with the Indian diaspora, held on June 23, 2010, in Birmingham. |
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