European Parliamentary Indian Trade Envoy Welcomes William Hague's commitment
Posted, January 30, 2012 @ 17:00
British MEP Sajjad Karim is welcoming the UK government's decision to step up trade with India.
The Foreign Secretary also gave his backing to the ongoing trade talks between the EU and India which he hopes will be concluded this year.
Sajjad Karim, Conservative MEP for North West England, who was the European Parliament's rapporteur for the EU-India free trade talks, welcomed the announcement.
Speaking at the Land Rover plant in his constituency he said: "Land Rover Jaguar is an excellent example of the benefits of UK India co-operation. At an EU level Conservative MEPs are working to deliver better conditions for our businesses as we are determined to make this relationship work."
The Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “India is already one of the largest economies in the world and will soon have the world's largest population. It is leading the way in the development of renewable energy and green technologies and we want the UK to be India’s partner of choice."
The UK will now open eight trade offices in India. The plan is to double trade with India by 2015 compared to 2010. Progress is being made with UK exports were up more than 40 per cent last year and India is now Britain’s third-largest market outside the EU.
Mr Karim added: “I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s commitment to the ongoing talks. If we can succeed then the goal is to make this one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.”