Indian conference to host 'Birmingham Day' in New Delhi
Jun 24 2009 by Nick Howard, Birmingham Post
Birmingham is to lead the way in a nationwide bid to establish business links with India.
Business leaders and professionals from the Midlands will team up with senior Indian politicians as its government prepares to open its gates to international trade.
The ‘India – Gateway to the Future’ conference is aimed at uniting the UK and India from a legal and business perspective and is being spearheaded by No5 Chambers in Birmingham and the International Legal and Business Forum (ILBF).
Based at the Shangri-La Hotel in New Delhi and running from October 28-30, the conference will open with a dedicated Birmingham day to reflect the city’s close business and cultural connections with India before moving on to address the wider national and international agenda.
It has attracted the interest of the College of Law, University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University who will be running an educational event alongside the main conference on day one.
The initiative has also attracted the backing of Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Law Society, Birmingham Forward, Locate Birmingham, Advantage West Midlands and the UK Trade and Investment, which is linking the event to a special grant-aided trade mission.
Gleeds Partnership, the international management and construction consultants, together with architectural practice, ADP, have pledged their support and talks are also in progress with a ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm and a major bank in the West Midlands.
Coun Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham businesses are at the forefront of spearheading innovative approaches to international business and commerce. The fact that the India – Gateway conference will have a ‘Birmingham Day’ is a ringing endorsement of how well the city is perceived on the world stage.”
Ekwall Tiwana, chairman of the ILBF and a leading barrister with No5 Chambers in Birmingham, said: “The programme of events will be of significant interest to lawyers, accountants and organisations both in the region and across the UK.
“Delegates will be exposed to unrivalled networking opportunities and hosted receptions, and the conference event programme focuses on capitalising on India’s exceptional economic growth and reforms.”
Conference organisers have arranged to fast-track business visas with the High Commission for India and the cost per delegate place is £595. UK Trade and Investment travel mission grants are available.
* For further information and to register interest in attending, visit www.no5.com or contact: indiangateway@no5.com
