Member Article

Peel Ports joins Business Secretary on visit to India

Mark Whitworth, CEO of Liverpool’s Peel Ports is with Business Secretary Vince Cable on a visit to India, to spread the message that ‘Britain is open for Business’.

The Business Secretary is also accompanied by a delegation of other leading British companies. One aim of the visit is to encourage more bright young minds to come to the UK to train.

International students are worth around £3 billion a year to UK Universities and bring skills critical to the British economy however from 2010-11 to 2012/13 the number of Indian students has fallen from 18,535 to 10,235.

Dr Cable said: “I’ve come to set the record straight. British Businesses, British Universities and the overwhelming majority of right-minded British people believe in an open Britain.

“Anyone with the slightest understanding of the UK knowledge economy recognises that it is only enhanced by the presence of talented migrants bringing ideas from around the world and examples of Indian students and businesses doing just that are manifold.

“As part of the Government’s industrial strategy we want to create a more highly skilled workforce giving businesses the confidence to invest and that means encouraging the brightest and best to study and work here.”

Dr Cable has announced measures to encourage more Indian students to come to the UK as well as further evidence of the strengthening business relationship with India.

He will also address approximately 600 students at leading technology and sciences institute, BITS Pilani’s K.K Birla Campus in Goa – as well as students at its Hyderabad and Delhi campuses via video link.

Mark Whitworth, chief executive of Peel Ports, said: “It’s vital that business and government work together to sell the benefits of bilateral trade, which is why we’re very pleased to be accompanying Dr Cable.

“We will be getting across the message that the unique location and facilities of our new Liverpool2 container port will benefit businesses in both countries.

“We already see containers arriving in the North West from India with contents ranging from ceramic tiles to clothing. But we want to do more to help importers and exporters find the quickest route to market via Liverpool.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .