Engineering news
Renishaw is one of the firms on the India trade mission
Nick Clegg has opened a new Tech Hub and UK India Business Centre during a visit to the country's hi-tech capital Bangalore.
While in Bangalore, Mr Clegg visited the Airbus India facility and will see the Hawk manufacturing facility at the aircraft division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The Lib Dem leader, who is travelling with a 40-strong business delegation, is spearheading the first UK trade mission to the country since the new Indian government was elected in May.
The Business Centre is the second of its type to open in India, after Delhi, and provides support to UK businesses who wish to grow there, while the Tech Hub aims to assist 1,000 Bangalore start-ups in three years and link them with the UK.
The deputy prime minister hailed India's fast-growing prowess in the aerospace and hi-tech sectors on the final leg of a three-day UK trade mission to boost links between the two nations.
Clegg said: "This city is among the top 10 preferred locations for entrepreneurs in the world, and home to more start-ups than any other city in India.
"What I see in Bangalore is that India's prowess in aerospace and hi-tech is growing fast. This is fertile ground for UK and Indian firms to do business, and that's been proven by the deals done today by UK companies setting up shop here in India."
UK advanced manufacturing firm, Renishaw has already begun to extend its business to India's shores. Rhydian Pountney, a representative of the firm, accompanied Clegg during his visit as part of his business delegation focusing on the aerospace sector.
Pountney, who co-chairs the Advanced Manufacturing Group of the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), said that the visit comes at a time when “Renishaw is making further investments in India, which will be announced by the deputy prime minister during the week”.
Renishaw currently employs more than 250 staff in India which includes five sales offices, plus product assembly and software development at its large facility in Pune, near Mumbai.
Clegg said: “As the leader in the global aerospace industry, the UK can also help India strengthen its lead in this valuable market. Our aerospace industry – which comprises big names like Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus and Cobham and smaller companies such as Renishaw – produces and supplies some of the most pioneering aircraft components in the world.”