Deloitte India boss hails strong NW trade links
AN Indian business leader has praised the strong business links between the North West and his nation, but believes inward investment would be improved “dramatically” if direct air links were established.
Udayan Sen, chief executive and managing partner of Deloitte Haskin & Sells, the Indian practice in the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu network, told TheBusinessDesk.com that Indian companies would see it as a “huge incentive” if direct flights were available.
“It is clear the North West is a great location for business and Indian companies are already active here with Tata Chemicals Europe (Brunner Mond) and Jaguar LandRover, particularly active and investing and growing here.
“Recently there has also been Essar Energy buying Stanlow Refinery and Cox & Kings acquiring Holidaybreak, and also Venky’s deal for Blackburn Rovers FC.
“There is already a strong relationship between India and this region but I believe direct flights will be a critical incentive for more business to invest here and there will be a significant influx if you have those connections.
“Many Indian companies see the UK as a springboard for growth in Europe. ‘Brand Britian’ is an attraction, and a lot of Indian people want to come to the UK because of the homely environment and the culture – Bollywood films are even released the same day here as in India.”
Responding to Mr Sen’s comments Mats Sigurdson, aviation commercial director at Manchester Airports Group, parent company of Manchester Airport, said securing direct services to India remains a “priority”.
“The challenges at the moment are that potential carriers are not looking to expand their networks and the current economic climate, coupled with high fuel costs and a lack of suitable available capacity with the airlines makes our case more difficult.”
Mumbai-based Mr Sen was visiting the region for the first time where he met a number of leading North West companies and key Deloitte staff, including
Manchester-based tax partner David O’Leary and colleague Jo Ahmed who lead the firm’s North West India Service Group – a cross department unit which oversees services the firm provides to inbound Indian companies and outbound UK businesses in India.
From an export point of view Mr Sen said there are numerous opportunites for British and North West businesses, particularly retailers, in India as a result of a growing and increasingly affluent middle class.
“I think the market is huge and relatively untapped for British brands and British consumer products.
“As well as these opportunities India is still a very agrarian society and water scarcity is a big problem and is high on the agenda, so there will be opportunities for businesses with skills and technology in this area.”
