London, India's natural trade partner

By virtue of its position as a global repository of international financial expertise, London can be a natural partner for Indian business houses, according to Alderman David Brewer, Lord Mayor of the city of London.

Speaking at a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry function in Hyderabad on Monday, he said UK and India were natural partners in trade. There were 287 foreign banks in London and "it can act as a gateway to global business for Indian business houses."

The bilateral trade of goods and services between India and US was £6.3 billion in 2004. "There was an increase of 25.8 per cent between January-October 2005 over the corresponding period in 2004," Brewer said.

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