President's column: Boosting ties with India
Doing business overseas is incredibly important to so many organisations in our region, including my own, writes Jason Wouhra, president of Asian Business Chamber of Commerce and chief executive of Lioncroft Wholesale Ltd.
Being able to make connections and trade with so many vast and diverse markets not only benefits the bottom line, but also makes our day jobs extremely fulfilling and interesting.
The ability to reap the rewards of exporting and developing international trade ties is made easier when governments are on our side, and make critical deals with nations across the world.
The news that our government has made a huge new deal with our longstanding friends in India was particularly welcome news this month.
The Enhanced Trade Partnership deal will includes more than £533 million of new Indian investment in the UK, in vital sectors such as health and technology.
Government has promised that the package will create 6,500 UK based jobs and double UK-India bilateral trade by 2030.
This announcement shows just how important it is to trade with Commonwealth partners, especially with India as it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
India 's exports jumped to a massive $30.63bn in April, with huge export growth in pharmaceuticals, carpets, leather goods and electronic goods.
As chair of the West Midlands India Partnership, I 'm particularly pleased to see such efforts to boost trade between our two nations.
Trade and investment opportunities,, such as this one with India, presents a fantastic opportunity to get our intellectual property, our inventions, our technology into more markets.
Investments in the health and low carbon sectors, confirmed in the government 's announcement, will be of particular value to businesses in the West Midlands, where these industries thrive.
India and the UK already have incredibly strong trade ties, and this £1billion trade and investment package will help bolster both economies and expose UK-made products and intellectual property around the world.
Despite this trade announcement, India is indeed facing an enormous challenge fighting Covid.
The current Covid challenges in India are distressing for the world at large and especially for those with connections and families in the country. It is essential for us all to be globally united in the fight against Covid, we all know individuals who have been affected by this ghastly virus and our support of communities in India will be invaluable to help them improve the current situation the country is in.
The UK is doing its part to help India overcome these challenges, supplying critical medical supplies and aid. In recent days we have seen momentous efforts being made by UK communities, charities and government to assist India in its fight against Covid.
The way that the UK has stepped up and mobilised quickly to help India demonstrates our generosity and willingness to assist our friends in the Commonwealth. We, as a country, must continue to display this generosity wherever possible in future.