Yorkshire and Indian business leaders unite

Business leaders from the Yorkshire and Humber region were united with major players from Indian industry at the prestigious FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum, held in Leeds.

Hosted at the city’s Royal Armouries museum as part of the Indian International Film Academy (IIFA) celebrations, the business forum attracted some major international names, including numerous business tycoons and the High Commissioner of India, Kamalesh Sharma.

The event – which took place on Thursday 7 June – marked the beginning of a new partnership between the region and India, which was reiterated by Yorkshire Forward chief executive Tom Riordan.

Addressing the international audience, Mr Riordan said: “We want to build a long lasting relationship with India this week.

“Let’s strive to achieve real business partnerships with real trade opportunities. IIFA offers a chance for this region to do business with India, find out what we can do for you and what you can do for us – how we can drive our economies forward forever.”

Mr Riordan joined Ambika Sharma, assistant secretary general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the region and India, committing both sides to building partnerships within the next three years.

The MoU has major significance in that it requires FICCI and Yorkshire Forward to offer mutual assistance and information on opportunities for investment in both Yorkshire & Humber and India. It also states that the two nations will arrange a programme of activity – including trade missions to both countries – that will help businesses further develop international partnerships.

Mr Riordan said: “I am delighted we are signing this Memorandum of Understanding today, allowing us to organise trade visits and link our universities together. We also want to give companies support and advice on doing business in and with Yorkshire & Humber and India.”

Other speakers to address the audience in the inaugural session included the president of FICCI, Habil Khorakiwala and Praful Patel, the union minister for civil aviation in the Government of India.

Mr Patel spoke about how important the business forum was for building relationships.

“I would be very happy if there would be more trade and partnerships between the two countries,” he said.

“There is a lot happening in particular sectors but I think more can be achieved.

“I would like to request people to look at India more meaningfully. With so much in common and so much association we should trade more and do more business between our two countries.”

The forum also involved individual sector sessions, focusing on clean energy, healthcare, entertainment, manufacturing, ICT & telecoms and the environment.

The speakers were major business players including Chris Francis, founding director of Cardionetics Ltd; Tim Jones, managing director of Rolls Royce in India; Robert Casamento, director of Ernst & Young; and Dr Rabinder Buttar, president and founder of Clintec International.

The day ended with a Global Business Dinner, chaired by Sabbas Joseph, director of IIFA.

Mr Riordan, chief executive of Yorkshire Forward concluded: “Never before has Yorkshire and Humber had the opportunity to find out about trading with an economic power like India on its doorstep, nor have we ever had the chance to demonstrate our region’s assets to such an important market, on our own soil.

“Today has been the first step in what I expect will be an exciting journey for our region and its businesses.”

The forum was held as part of the IIFA celebration, which has seen a variety of events take place throughout the region culminating in the IIFA awards ceremony itself on 9 June.