Mumbai, Feb 18: Britain will introduce same-day visa service for Indian businessmen wanting to invest there, Prime Minister David Cameron announced Monday as he sought a “special relationship” between the two countries, saying it is about the future for which sky is the limit. Cameron, who landed this morning in the country’s financial capital, his first port of call, during his second visit to the country in less than three years after assuming office, also announced his country would introduce a same-day visa service for businessmen, in an effort to encourage Indian businesses to invest in Britain. “We have the biggest visa operations anywhere else in the world right here in India. I announce that we are going to introduce for businesses a same-day visa service to those who want to come to our country and invest…,” Cameron told India Inc at Hotel Taj, the country’s hospitality icon. Cameron is accompanied by the largest-ever business delegation to have left the British shores, as part of efforts to bolster economic ties with India. “I am heading the biggest-ever business delegation to leave British shores. India’s rise is going to be one of the great phenomena of the century and it is incredibly impressive to see the vibrancy of your democracy, the great strength of your diversity and the enormous power of your economy that is going to be one of the top three economies by 2030,” Cameron said. He said if a student got a job he could stay and work in the United Kingdom and there was no limit on the length of time for that. The British premier wanted the trade barriers restricting newer opportunities in bilateral economic cooperation to be brought down. “Britain is looking to take down the (trade) barriers …we want the Indian Government to continue to open up trade and make it easier to do business here…We have to make sure that just as we welcome Indian investments into Britain, it is easier for British companies like banking, retail etc to invest in this vibrant and fast growing economy,” he said. The British premier also said there were great opportunities for Indian companies to invest in Britain. “When I see Indian investment into Britian, I only see hope…investment like Jaguar and Land Rover, which is a massive international success story…We welcome that sort of investments,” Cameron said, adding his country seeks to be the most investor-friendly market. While seeking greater cooperation between the two countries across various spheres, Cameron said,” I am bringing with me the premier league, top universities, museums – we want to tie up in so many different ways with your culture, your companies, your businesses, your people.” Noting Britain had 1.5 million people of Indian origin which strengthened the ties between the two countries, he said the over 100-member delegation accompanying him comprised representatives of businesses and parliamentarians having roots in India. PTI, Source: Orissa Post
