UK and Bihar in partnership – a way forward
Seminar drew large UK interest with six leading UK companies besides the UKTI and British Council coming to Patna to participate.
The British Deputy High Commission, Eastern India, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry, Bihar State Office, held an outreach programme in Bihar on 19-20 March which included a seminar in Patna on 20 March followed by one-to-one business dialogues to take forward Bihar-UK trade and investment relations.
Titled ‘UK and Bihar in Partnership – A Way Forward,’ the seminar attracted large interest from both UK and Bihar entrepreneurs. On its part, the British Government sees significant business opportunities in Bihar, especially in sectors like infrastructure, education and training, power (including renewable), and healthcare. In this context, the seminar drew large UK interest with six leading UK companies besides the UKTI and British Council coming to Patna to participate.
While the British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India, Mr Sanjay Wadvani, addressed the gathering, Mr Shailesh Thakur, Director, Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, Mr Deepak Kumar Singh, Managing Director of the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority and Mr Pramod Sharma, Past Chairman, CII Bihar State Council, highlighted the investment opportunities in Bihar.
Besides UKTI and British Council, the delegation included UK companies Jones Long La Salle, Manipal City and Guilds, University of Cambridge ESOL, Global Immersion, Ultra Fairwood and The Supply Chain Foundation.
The group had a business meeting with Bihar Rural Development Minister, Mr Nitish Mishra, and called on the Bihar Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Sinha and Industry Secretary, Mr. Naveen Verma, to discuss areas where the UK can collaborate with Bihar for the state’s rapid development.