New report spotlights technology opportunities in India

UK: A new UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) report, ‘Business Opportunities in India for Technology Partnerships', maps the deep mine of business for Britain's technology sector in India generated by its increasingly sophisticated and growing middle class.

Launched to coincide with two Indian delegations visiting the UK, the report is aimed at British firms working with semiconductors, mobile communications and healthcare. It provides valuable information about the opportunities to combine the UK's frontier expertise with India's huge ICT industry to provide technological solutions for India and the world.

Minister for Trade, Investment and Business Lord Davies recently visited India, which increased investment into the UK by 44% in 2008, becoming the second largest source of investment after the US. Two-thirds of the Indians firms investing in the UK are in the software and technology fields.

Lord Davies said: "It's been over a decade since outsourcing was the buzzword. Now, innovative Indian and UK firms are working together at the top end of the industrial spectrum. India's talent, confidence, energy and entrepreneurial spirit must be seen to be believed."

‘Business Opportunities in India for Technology Partnerships' is part of UKTI's ICT strategy to help SMEs tap into partnership programmes and business opportunities through missions, networking and face-to-face meetings. Combining UK technology expertise with the scale of India's ICT industry should lead to powerful solutions for India and globally.

The first delegation to the UK is the Indian Semiconductor Association, from 29 September to 2 October, following a recent MoU signing in New Delhi to work with UKTI on developing India-UK technology partnerships. A major part of the programme will be UK-India seminars and networking events organised with Silicon South West, South West Regional Development Agency and East of England International.

NASSCOM is the second delegation, bringing 14 of its members covering a variety of areas, including e-learning and healthcare. Events organised in London with Intellect and Think London will help UK companies explore how to work with Indian firms and meet one-to-one with the NASSCOM delegates.

UKTI Chief Executive Sir Andrew Cahn said: "Despite the global difficulties India remains a vital growth economy with opportunities to match. With potential partnerships across technology sub-sectors, coupled with a severe skills shortage, now is the time for UK companies to take advantage of the technology boom."

To help British business enter the Indian market, UKTI's presence is stronger than ever with 90 staff on the ground in India alone. UKTI can help UK businesses looking to explore options in India, find business partners and provide grants to help firms attend tradeshows.

UK-India bilateral trade is worth £12.6 billion with double-digit growth in the last year. The UK's exports to India rose in 2008 to £5.9 billion while imports in 2008 to £6.2 billion.

To request a copy ‘Business Opportunities in India for Technology Partnerships' email ict@ukti.gsi.gov.uk