London Mayor plans representative office in Mumbai

Acknowledging the growing financial clout of India, Mayor David Brewer has said he will soon open his representative office in Mumbai besides promoting Britain's financial services industry during his India visit slated for March 19-28.

Lord Brewer will be leading a high-level business delegation to New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad during which he is expected to promote public private partnerships, legal access along with legal qualification and training, listing on the London exchanges, inward investment and insurance regulation, coupled with insurance and reinsurance in the London market, Brewer said on Wednesday.

A friend and admirer of India, the London Mayor said details of the Mumbai office on the pattern of the existing offices in Washington, New York, Beijing and Brussels, are being worked out.

An international ambassador for the UK financial services industries, Lord Brewer said he first visited India as a tourist 30 years ago but since then he had made several trips to the country. The 66-year-old Mayor, as head of the City of London, presides over its governing bodies - the Court of Aldermen and the Court of Common Council.

He is Chief Magistrate of the City of London, Admiral of the Port of London, Chancellor of City University and president or patron of many other civic and charitable organisations.

Lord Brewer is expected to hold discussions with Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, Deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia besides other dignitaries.

Do you want to discuss stock tips? Do you know a hot one? Join the Stock Market Investments Discussion Group