AN INDIAN diplomat has said that India is eager to further its business links with Ireland.Speaking at a major India-Ireland trade and tourism conference in Dublin last week, Lord Diljit Rana, Honorary Consul for India in Northern Ireland, remarked: “I know that India, now one of the world’s most dynamic economies, is keen to do business with Ireland. The benefits for both countries from such exchanges are immense.
“India is a huge market that offers vast opportunities for Irish companies in all sectors. By forging partnerships with India, Irish companies can also harness the brainpower and low cost base there to strengthen their competitiveness.”
He added: “During a business mission to India in March, I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the Eamon de Valera motorway in Delhi. This event demonstrated the historic relationship and close affinity that exists between India and Ireland.”
Lord Rana, who is also managing director at Andras House Ltd – a hospitality and property development business in the North – was the keynote speaker at last week’s Ireland India Trade and Tourism Forum, organised by Open Door Communications in association with the IMDO (Irish Maritime Development Office) and the Irish Exporters Association.
The forum, initiated by global development consultant Bernice Maria Paolozzi, is a means of exploring ways to increase trade between Ireland and India. Other speakers at the forum included John Whelan, chief executive of the Irish Exporters Association and Jim Paul, Asia regional director of Tourism Ireland.
Meanwhile, the European Commission last week welcomed the formal adoption by European member states of negotiating mandates for a new generation of Free Trade Agreements with India, South Korea and ASEAN.
New independent research released by the European Commission suggests that the agreements could add more than 40bn euro to EU exports annually and provide wide new trade opportunities for all sides.
The European Commission, which will negotiate on behalf of EU member states, expects to launch negotiations in the months to come.
He added: “During a business mission to India in March, I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the Eamon de Valera motorway in Delhi. This event demonstrated the historic relationship and close affinity that exists between India and Ireland.”
Lord Rana, who is also managing director at Andras House Ltd – a hospitality and property development business in the North – was the keynote speaker at last week’s Ireland India Trade and Tourism Forum, organised by Open Door Communications in association with the IMDO (Irish Maritime Development Office) and the Irish Exporters Association.
The forum, initiated by global development consultant Bernice Maria Paolozzi, is a means of exploring ways to increase trade between Ireland and India. Other speakers at the forum included John Whelan, chief executive of the Irish Exporters Association and Jim Paul, Asia regional director of Tourism Ireland.
Meanwhile, the European Commission last week welcomed the formal adoption by European member states of negotiating mandates for a new generation of Free Trade Agreements with India, South Korea and ASEAN.
New independent research released by the European Commission suggests that the agreements could add more than 40bn euro to EU exports annually and provide wide new trade opportunities for all sides.
The European Commission, which will negotiate on behalf of EU member states, expects to launch negotiations in the months to come.
