Speaker event to boost India links
TRADE: The Consul General of India will speak at a conference designed to boost economic growth in the county. Dr Aman Puri will address the inaugural West Yorkshire Economic Growth Conference.
THE CONSUL General of India will be speaking in West Yorkshire for the first time this week at a conference designed to boost economic growth in the county.
Dr Aman Puri will address the inaugural West Yorkshire Economic Growth Conference on Friday and will deliver the keynote speech looking at how local businesses can work with countries such as India for future economic growth opportunities.
More than 300 people are expected to attend the conference in Leeds, with other speakers including Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, chairwoman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Roger Marsh of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and Paul Smith, chairman of Eversheds Sutherland.
Speaking ahead of this week’s event, Dr Puri said: “We strongly believe that a two-way investment relationship between India and British businesses is essential for companies in both economies to realise the true potential of this partnership.
“This will spur stronger export-led growth by providing the required visibility and exposure. The strength of West Yorkshire in the field of financial services, digital and creative, healthcare and manufacturing services can be harnessed by Indian companies seeking to grow in these sectors.
“Businesses based in West Yorkshire must look at increasing their foot print in India, the fastest growing large economy of the world.”
A report this year by HSBC said India was likely to overtake Japan and Germany to become the third largest economy in the next 10 years but needs to be consistent in reforms and focus more on the social sector.
Organisers of the event at New Dock Hall say the conference will bring together public and private sector leaders to debate five key topics that are central to economic growth in the region, such as the role of the combined authority, improving transport, delivering housing, developing skills and how to grow the economy.
Keith Griffiths, organiser of the event and managing director of Built Environment Networking said: “With Yorkshire devolution gaining momentum and the national call for investment in northern transport infrastructure, the event comes at a perfect time for delegates to hear from those business and political figures who are leading these key debates. I am excited to announce that the programme is packed full of speakers who are experts in their fields.”
The latest speakers to join the event include Lorna Pimlott, Phase Two Sponsorship Director at HS2, Sean Jarvis, Commercial Director at Huddersfield Town AFC, and Nigel Foster, Director of Strategy, Transport for the North.
The West Yorkshire Economic Growth Conference is the first of its kind nationally and part of a model that is expected to be rolled out across the country.
Mr Griffiths said: “This conference provides a prime platform for business leaders and public bodies in Yorkshire to come together, share ideas and help West Yorkshire continue to grow.”
A report by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority last year said the county is home to 2.3m people, hosting 90,000 businesses and over a million jobs.
The West Yorkshire economy has a gross value added of £47bn, according to the document, fifteen per cent of the total output of the North.
It said: “The area has significant potential, but in common with much of the North of England, levels of productivity and incomes are lower than elsewhere in the country, while unemployment and deprivation are higher than elsewhere.”
The strength of West Yorkshire can be harnessed. Dr Aman Puri, Consul General of India.