Anand Sharma sees UK immigration cap affecting business, investors

LONDON - Visiting Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma has said Indian business leaders and investors have voiced concerns about the British government’s newly announced cap on migrants from outside the European Union.

“Our business leaders, professionals and other institutions have stated concerns over this matter. Though we understand the United Kingdom and European Union regulations, but the regime has to be investor friendly and must not come in the way of free movement of investors and professionals,” Sharma told reporters after his meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague, in London.

The new Conservative-led British government on Monday announced restrictions on the migrants from outside the European Union, which means that only about 24,100 workers from non-EU countries would be able to enter the UK before April 2011 - a five percent decrease from last year.

Sharma also said that these concerns were raised in his meetings with Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Business Secretary Vince Cable and he has been assured that the interest of the Indian concerns would be looked after. Immigration was the second most important election issue after economy in the British elections earlier this year.

Sharma also indicated that during the impending visit of David Cameron to India later in July., both the countries would take forward their economic agendas.

“During his (David Cameron’s) visit we will be able to take forward what has been discussed today in the three meetings, particularly the economic engagement and also the two countries working together in multilateral forum which was conveyed very forcefully first by Foreign Secretary William Hague. They have expressed support to India for the permanent membership of UN Security Council,” he added.

Meanwhile, Business Secretary Vince Cable, said: “The coalition Government is committed to an enhanced partnership with India. I am delighted to welcome Mr Sharma and to open a very positive dialogue on a range of important issues with the Indian government.

“Bilateral trade is worth over 11 billion pounds a year, and India is already the second biggest foreign investor to the UK by number of projects. We must build on that. We will push for a successful outcome to the Doha trade talks and bringing the EU-India free trade talks to a swift and positive conclusion.”

Vince Cable also greeted a delegation of top Indian business leaders from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) who are accompanying Sharma on his visit.

The delegates included: Hari S Bhartia, President of CII and Managing Director of Jubilant Organosys Limited, B Muthuraman, the Vice Chairman of Tata Steel and Vice President of CII, and Vikram Mehta, Chairman of Shell India. (ANI)