Northern leaders to launch joint India investment mission

Senior civic and business leaders from across the North of England will travel to the country this October in a bid to attract inward investment and strengthen trade links following the introduction of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

The delegation, taking place under The Great North banner, will bring together representatives from West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire, the North East, Liverpool City Region, and Cheshire and Warrington.

Announced to coincide with the UK-India Free Trade Agreement coming into force on 15 July, the mission is being positioned as the first regional response to the deal, which the UK Government estimates could increase annual bilateral trade by £25.5bn by 2040.

Delivered in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the programme will seek to attract investment into the North while supporting businesses looking to expand into the Indian market.

The Great North represents a combined economy worth more than £340bn, with strengths including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, life sciences, digital technology and financial services. These sectors are expected to underpin future investment opportunities across commercial, industrial, and regeneration projects.

Chair of The Great North and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The Great North was created to do something the North of England has rarely had the opportunity to do before: come together with a single voice and tell our story to the world.

“This mission to India is a powerful example of that vision in action. It is the North taking control of its own destiny, coming together to build relationships, attract investment and create opportunities that will benefit our people, businesses and communities for generations to come.

“What makes this partnership especially meaningful is that the connections between the North and India are about far more than economics. They can be seen in the communities that enrich our towns and cities, in the students and entrepreneurs who move between our countries, in our shared love of cricket, and increasingly in the creative, digital and screen sectors where Northern and Indian talent are finding new ways to work together.

“By bringing Northern leaders, businesses and institutions together in India, this mission will help unlock new investment and back SMEs to export and grow. It will help create good jobs, drive economic growth and ensure that the benefits of international trade and investment are felt in towns and cities right across the North.”

Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith said: “We are already building the connections in our region with the University of York opening a new campus in Mumbai next year, but we are ready to do more. By working together with Mayors across the Great North, we ensure that we all benefit from the UK’s evolving deal with India.”

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “As mayor, my job is simple: to bring investment, jobs and opportunities to the Liverpool City Region. And that means making the case for our area wherever those opportunities exist…

“The Liverpool City Region has a fantastic story to tell. We’re leading the way in areas like life sciences, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital innovation, with world-class universities, ambitious businesses and a workforce full of talent and potential.”

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “I’ve seen first-hand what our trade missions can deliver – multimillion-pound investments in key sectors, and thousands of good jobs for local people. This October, we’ll be banging the drum for the North and building a stronger, better off West Yorkshire for the long-term.”

Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard said: “The UK’s Free Trade Agreement with India is a significant breakthrough and it’s right that South Yorkshire grabs these opportunities with both hands.

“If we get this mission right, it will mean better links with the world’s fastest growing economy so we can create stronger local economies, and a better deal for our communities across South Yorkshire and the wider North.”

Chair of Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority, cllr Louise Gittins said: “With more than 50 India-linked businesses supporting over 4,000 jobs and generating more than £10 billion in annual turnover across the region, we are starting from strength. India is already one of Cheshire and Warrington’s most significant international economic partners but we can make more of the relationship.

Consul General of India in Manchester, Mrs Vishakha Yaduvanshi said: “The opening of the Consulate General of India in Manchester was itself a clear indication of India’s commitment to engaging more closely with the region. Over the past year, we have worked steadily with local authorities, businesses, universities and other partners across the North.

“The India–North England Opportunity Summit was an important step in bringing these relationships together and identifying practical areas for cooperation.