Big UK construction firms have joined British prime minister David Cameron on the country’s largest ever trade mission to India.
The 100-company delegation, including government ministers and representatives from firms such as Balfour Beatty, Atkins, Mott MacDonald, Arup, Aecom, met Indian government ministers, inward investors and businesses in both Mumbai and Delhi starting 18 February.
With economic woes at home, the UK government is keen to link British businesses up to one of the world’s fastest growing economies, predicted to become the third largest by 2050.
Cameron: India needs a partner
"As India grows, it needs a partner that can support its ambition – in infrastructure, in energy, in healthcare and more," said David Cameron. "It wants its business to have unrivalled access to European and global markets and its students to get the best education in the world. Britain can do all these things and more. So, we have to get out there, make the case for Britain and open doors for British business."
New trade deals announced in conjunction with the mission, include InterContinental Hotel Group planning build 13 new hotels in India.
Mr Cameron announced the UK government would spend £8m setting up a series of support centres for British businesses in India.
