Telangana Ministerial visit to UK showcases states’ attractiveness to British businesses

A delegation, led by Cabinet Minister K T Rama Rao, responsible for Telangana’s IT, Electronics & Communications, Municipal Administration & Urban Development, and Industries & Commerce Departments, visited the UK this week to pitch the State to UK investors across sectors such as digital and data, financial and professional services, energy, EV, manufacturing and aerospace.

During a packed and dynamic programme, the Minister had a series of one-to-one meetings with UK investors, and engaged groups of companies across four focussed roundtables. These included sessions with members of the UK India Business Council, a roundtable with digital technology companies led by the UKIBC and TechUK, a session on opportunities for collaboration in the electric vehicles sector led by UKIBC and SMMT, and an interactive discussion with more potential investors hosted by HE Ms Gaitri Issar Kumar, the High Commissioner of India to the UK.

Mr KT Rama Rao also had a constructive discussion with the UK’s Minister for International Trade, Ranil Jayawardena, and engaged with UK parliamentarians at a session hosted by Lord Bilimoria at the Houses of Parliament. On Friday, the final day of the programme, the Minister travelled to Oxfordshire to visit Arrival, which has announced an investment in the state.

The Minister introduced the progressive industrial policies of Telangana Government and highlighted the investment opportunities in priority sectors like IT, BFSI, Food Processing, Pharma and Life Sciences, Aerospace and Defence. “When you choose India for your investment, it is important that you choose the right gateway. And Telangana is that state which has the best policy environment and also a progressive leadership” he said.

The visit was hosted throughout by UK India Business Council, with whom the Government of Telangana holds a Memorandum of Understanding, and was supported by the British High Commission in India, including Deputy High Commissioner to AP & TS, Dr Andrew Fleming.

UKIBC Managing Director, Kevin McCole, said: “It has been great to support this important visit by the Government of Telangana. UK businesses are excited about the opportunity to support Telangana in its ambitious growth plans, creating high value jobs, and bringing more brilliant products and services to the people of Telangana. I was particularly pleased to see such interest in collaborations in forward-looking sectors such as electric vehicles and digital and data services. We look forward to working with the Government in the future and with UK businesses to heighten this limitless potential and raise the profile of the state in the UK.”

Deputy High Commissioner to AP & TS, Andrew Fleming, said: “The visit takes place as the UK and Indian Governments are conducting ongoing FTA negotiations, with the aim for a comprehensive deal to be achieved later this year. Such a deal would make it easier for more UK and Indian businesses to trade and invest across the UK-India corridor. Telangana, a consistently high performer in Indian State ranking for ease of doing business, is an ideal destination for UK companies, and recently celebrated its upcoming 8th year anniversary since its formation with the announcement that the state has been able to attract USD 35 billion in that time.”