Indian business strategists seeking prime UK locations for their client companies have held preliminary talks with Fenland District Council economic development chiefs designed to attract Information Technology and agri & food related businesses to rural Cambridgeshire.
Both sides described the initial discussions as fruitful and believe they provide the platform for future collaboration.
The council has decided to build a fresh crop of attractive offices and incubators following the success of the pathfinding South Fens Business Centre in Chatteris and has already created a dedicated hub for international businesses keen to set up a European base in this region.
An initial rent-free period and access to a number of key services without charge are being offered to international newcomers.
Clive Gibbon, who heads the business development effort for the district council, said Fenland had set out its stall to provide a home for young companies from the emerging economies, such as China and India and provide a warm welcome for them.
He believes companies operating in the Indian market offer better synergies with Fenland at the outset.
“We made it clear to the Indian delegation that we are very interested in talking to their companies and that they will find a happy and productive home with us. The international centre provides a warm welcoming hub at the outset.
“We have taken readings of market demand and embarked on plans to build a number of office schemes that befit the area – not the usual low-tech sheds that are often provided. We want to demonstrate how keen we are to see international businesses move here.”
Gibbon said the council was also considering visiting India to follow up on last week’s positive discussions. “India is building its economic growth on knowledgebased businesses and Fenland is an ideal area for this type of business.”
Long considered to be a predominantly farming district, with the most productive farmland in the country and a thriving food processing industry, Fenland is forging ahead with new initiatives to develop a dynamic and sustainable economy.
By attracting a host of knowledge-based industries, Fenland hopes to diversify its industrial base and improve the economic potential for the region. Identified as one of the growth areas in the UK government’s sustainable communities plan, Fenland has access to funding opportunities to develop key infrastructure such as education, housing and business services.
The recent Indian delegation visit was brokered by THINKindia, a Cambridge consultancy facilitating two-way trade and collaborations between the East of England and India.
THINKindia CEO, Thak Patel, said: “The Fenland visit was undertaken by a senior industry figure from India, who saw at first hand all that the region has to offer.
“He remarked to us that due to its close proximity to Cambridge and London but lower potential set-up and running costs, there was a definite advantage to be in theFens and that he would encourage Indian businesses to look at this opportunity closely. THINKindia organised this trip to highlight to the international market the opportunities we have in the Fens.“