Kolkata: Britain’s International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston on Tuesday said companies across Kolkata are major investors in the United Kingdom, spurring job creation and fostering a solid partnership between Bengal and the UK.
He also reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to bolstering economic growth in the state.
Huddleston, who arrived here on Monday on a two-day visit to the metropolis, also met former West Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra.
“A pleasure to speak with @DrAmitMitra to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to bolstering economic growth in this vibrant state. Also committed participation in the Bengal Global Business Summit, to which we brought the largest international delegation last year,” he tweeted on Tuesday.
The UK minister also met Sanjiv Goenka, the chairman and MD of the RPG Sanjiv Goenka Group, and discussed business ties and opportunities.
“Really productive meeting with Sanjiv Goenka – Chairman and MD of @rpsggroup. We discussed UK-India trade and how a UK-India FTA could help address obstacles to trade, reduce tariffs, and open doors for businesses – creating jobs and opportunities for economic growth,” the minister tweeted.
Huddleston, who is here to unveil new initiatives in electric mobility and green construction in West Bengal, said UK-India free trade agreement (FTA) could open up opportunities for economic growth.
“It was a pleasure engaging with a dynamic array of businesses in Kolkata to further strengthen our thriving partnership,” the minister said.
India is its 12th largest trading partner accounting for 2.1 per cent of its total trade.
The UK’s bilateral trade with India surged to GBP (British pound sterling) 36 billion in 2022, up 11.2 billion GBP or 45 per cent from 24.8 GBP in 2021. The bilateral trade supports half a million jobs in both India and UK, an official statement said.
“The UK has a strong and enduring relationship with India. Our trade has grown significantly over the past year. I want to use my first official visit here to show the UK’s eagerness to work on shared challenges like climate change and in the creation of economic growth and jobs,” Huddleston said.
Both the UK and the West Bengal governments will join hands on a pilot project to develop electric two-wheelers like motorcycles and scooters. The UK will also help by providing technology and access to finance, the statement said..
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said Huddleston is on a three-day visit to South Asia, which covers Kolkata and also Dhaka in Bangladesh, focused on unlocking more opportunities for British companies to grow trade and two-way business flows.
