SOUTH YORKSHIRE STRENGTHENS RELATIONSHIP WITH INDIA

Published 13 December 2021 at 5:17pm

Relationships between South Yorkshire and India have been further strengthened following a top level meeting in London between Dan Jarvis, Mayor of South Yorkshire and the High Commissioner of India to the UK, Ms Gaitri Issar Kumar.   

The meeting was arranged to gain the High Commissioner’s personal support for the planned visit by delegates from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) plus local businesses, to the Maharashtra region of India in 2022.

The discussions focused on how the High Commissioner of India to the UK may be able to support the Civic, Academic and Trade and Investment themes that South Yorkshire MCA has planned for the visit.  

Mayor of South Yorkshire Dan Jarvis said: “We continue to forge strong relationships with India and this latest meeting was important in securing the High Commissioner to the UK’s support in our trade mission to India next year.  The meeting was very productive and we really welcome the support of the High Commissioner and her office in making this a success for both South Yorkshire and India.”  

Dan Jarvis continues: “We recognise that India is central to our trade and investment growth.  There is huge potential with our shared strengths in advanced manufacturing, healthcare technologies and digitisation, as well as in sustainable fuel and clean energy solutions.  These specialisms offer great opportunities for both the Maharashtra region of India and South Yorkshire to trade more closely.”

UKIBC Managing Director, Kevin McCole, said: “It was a really enjoyable meeting, not least as there are clear synergies between South Yorkshire and India. Especially in healthcare technologies, and innovation in advanced manufacturing, including defence, aerospace and automotive.”

Also in attendance was Kevin McCole, Managing Director of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and Rachel Clark, Director of Trade and Investment at South Yorkshire MCA. 

The meeting follows a number of activities between South Yorkshire and the Maharashtra region of India, which recently saw South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority run a Round Table event, which opened up new trading opportunities for both South Yorkshire and Indian businesses.  In addition, South Yorkshire MCA has recently set up and run its first South Yorkshire India Advisory Board.  This Board brings together Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield, our local research centres, local Chambers of Commerce, the DIT India and the Pune Chamber of Commerce. South Yorkshire MCA is also planning to hold an Investor Round Table in the new year, as well as an Ed Tech showcase. 

In 2017, our region introduced the strategy: ‘Make in India, Design and Develop with the South Yorkshire Region’. Since then, the relationship between South Yorkshire and India has grown and developed and has been able to open up greater trading opportunities. Experts predict that India will be the world’s third largest economy by 2030. 

To further build connections, in 2020, the South Yorkshire India Growth Champions programme was established to help local companies to secure new or increased exports to India. Nine Growth Champions (South Yorkshire businesses) are now going through the programme, and it is targeted that this group will secure export wins worth £1.3m.

Trading with countries such as India is expected to help South Yorkshire businesses to recover from the disruption and economic hardship the pandemic has caused, with international trade expected to be a key factor in driving forward future growth and prosperity in the region.

To find out more about how South Yorkshire works with India, visit the South Yorkshire Invest Working with India web page.