Deal aims to make it easier for Welsh firms to do business in India

A new deal making it easier for firms in Wales to do business in India has been announced.

Honorary Consul General for India in Wales, Raj Aggarwal, said the Access India Programme was now open to Welsh companies wanting to trade in India.

Speaking at the launch of the Diwali celebrations at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff last night Mr Aggarwal said: “This programme set out by the High Commissioner Mr Sinha will provide small and medium sized businesses with a free and complete roadmap for investment, ranging from legal, taxation, accounting and ministerial advice for companies wishing to take the plunge to trade and work in India.

“Crucially it will allow Welsh companies to bypass EU restrictions by making it easy to trade without a formal free trade agreement.”

Mr Aggarwal said the expense of setting up in India with start-up costs, bureaucracy and initial lack of contacts, may have prohibited Welsh firms from setting up there.

He added: “But now the Indian government has now announced this assistance package to help get them started.

“India is the fastest growing economy in the world today, and also shares a business language with us, and is a free-market democracy.

“Welsh companies have a natural advantage over international competitors but we must act now to capitalise on this, and the Access India programme should further help them get a foothold there.”

The Diwali event was hosted by First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones.