Columnist

Northern Asian Power-Mission 2021: India

Building The Special Relationship

1 – 5 March 2021

Building on the success of the of the Northern Asian Power-list 2020 which showcased the incredible impact of the exceptional Asian business and cultural leaders across the Northern Powerhouse.

We are working in partnership with the UKIERI and the University of Delhi to host the Northern Asian Power Mission: India, a virtual 5 day trade event to build upon the living bridge and special relationship with India to promote and build trade opportunities and relationships.

’‘The relationship between the UK and India is truly special, it stretches back over centuries and is alive and thriving today and the NAP-mission India, has an objective to expand and strengthen the bilateral trade relationship between the UK and India’ said Sharon Jandu Project Director (NAP). ‘This will be key to supporting business growth and recovery from COVID-19 and Brexit (for the UK)’.

Trade between the UK and India was worth £24 billion in 2019, an increase of 10% on the previous year, and there is a huge opportunity for businesses in the North of England to work in partnership with India to create new jobs, economic growth, and drive forward innovation and entrepreneurship.

Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade Liz Truss said:

“India is the world’s biggest democracy and a nation that shares our belief in free enterprise. Deeper trading ties will create opportunities for UK businesses that were simply not there as part of the EU and set the stage for a much closer partnership with one of the economic powerhouses of the present and future.”

Prof Roopinder Oberoi, University of Delhi

“I see boundless future possibilities emerging through the ‘Northern Asian Power Mission: India,’ a virtual 5-day trade event. It will certainly help to build on the shared values and historic ties between Indian and UK. There are dynamic complementarities across the sectors that offer incredible prospects for a win-win outcome for both the countries. This Mission will benefit in fostering enhanced relationships and strengthen partnerships for seamless flow of ideas, products and investments in diverse sectors”.

Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair, NP11 & Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership

“International collaboration, trade and investment are crucial to ensure sustained economic growth and we are committed to developing stronger links with India to drive forward global trade and inward investment initiatives. India is now the UK’s second-largest source of foreign direct investment and connecting the Northern Powerhouse to India – one of the fastest-growing economies in the world – will further boost this growth. Expanding and deepening our trade relationship with India is key to supporting business growth and recovery.”

Karen French, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

“As a founding patron of the Northern Asian Power-Mission and previous to this the Northern Asian Powerlist, we have been astounded by the support that the project has received to date from dignitaries, business champions and trade organisations. Being part of the inaugural virtual Northern Asian Power-Mission with a focus on India and seeing the sheer amount of goodwill and collaboration across the Northern Powerhouse and India really demonstrates the synergies between the UK and India and the living bridge in action. We have been supporting Asian businesses with their international expansion and inward investment strategies for years and this project showcases the very best of how international relationships can and will develop.”

County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, Leader, Lancashire County Council

“We are proud to be leading Lancashire’s involvement in the Northern Asian Power Mission 2021, showcasing the county’s sector strengths to an incredibly important audience. Lancashire County Council is committed to supporting the growth of trade and investment links with key international markets such as India, and with such a vibrant Asian business community located in the county, we believe that there is great potential for these links to drive tangible economic growth.”

Rachel McQueen, Chief Executive, Marketing Lancashire

“Lancashire has an amazing diaspora of Asian entrepreneurs, with the likes of Mo Isap, Nisha Katona MBE and Khalid Saifullah MBE DL all recognised in the 2020 Northern Asian Power-list. They are fantastic ambassadors for Lancashire and we want to build on the profile that they are generating for the county. We are delighted to be supporting LCC to showcase Lancashire’s strengths, particularly in relation to the energy sector, where we believe that our green energy credentials position us well to support a sustainable global recovery from Covid-19.”

The virtual power mission will feature 6 industry targeted trade masterclasses with representatives from UK and India business, trade bodies and professional services.

The virtual power mission takes place online from Monday 1st March until Friday 5th March – click here for more information and to register.

DAY 1

• Northern Asian Power Mission Launch – A Focus on India Monday 1 March, Noon – 1:30

Explore the international business opportunities and to build on the living bridge.

Messages of support from : Lord Bilimoria, President, CBI, Lord Waverly, Co Chair, The All-Party Parliamentary Group Trade & Export, Minister Stuart, Rakesh Sinha MP, Rajya Sabha, Alex Ellis, The High Commissioner-Designate India Shamika Ravi, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, VC University of Delhi, Lord Ranger CBE, Jake Berry MP, Chair, Northern Research Group, Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair, NP11 & Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Ben Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley, Dan Jarvis MBE, Mayor of Sheffield City Region, Satish Jha, Chairman, ECCO Electronics

DAY 2

• Creative Industries and Culture Tuesday 2 March 2021 - 09:00 – 11:00 (GMT)/14:30 – 16:30 (IST)

• Healthcare & Life Sciences Tuesday 2 March 2021 - 12:00 – 14:00 (GMT)/17:30 – 19:30 (IST)

DAY 3

• Food and Drink Wednesday 3 March 2021 - 09:00 – 11:00(GMT)/14:30 – 16:30 (IST)

• Industrial and Advanced Manufacturing
Wednesday 3 March 2021 - 12:00 – 14:00 (GMT)/17:30 – 19:30 (IST)

DAY 4

• Technology and Digital Markets Thursday 4 March 2021 - 09:00 – 11:00 (GMT)/14:30 – 16:30 (IST)

• Energy Thursday 4 March 2021 - 12:00 – 14:00 (GMT)/17:30 – 19:30 (IST)

DAY 5

• A Celebration of Diversity & Women in Business Event Friday 5 March 2021 - 09:00 – 12.00 (GMT)/14:30 – 18:00 (IST)

All our virtual masterclasses are free to attend and will provide an opportunity to: • Meet the experts and listen to trade case studies from UK and Indian businesses • Virtually network and agree key asks and follow up opportunities

The virtual power mission takes place online from Monday 1st March until Friday 5th March - click here for more information and to register.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Yorkshire Asian Business Association .