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Games to boost trade prospects for India

Special Correspondent

Birmingham expresses its commitment

NEW DELHI: The potential for the Commonwealth Games-2010 to foster trade links for India was amply displayed through the response to the Commonwealth Business Club India (CBCI) during the reception to the Queen’s Baton Relay Delhi-2010 in Birmingham this past Tuesday, according to a release issued by the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games-2010 Delhi.

The release stated that during the reception, Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby said the city was committed to promoting trade with India.

Showcasing opportunities

In a message, CBCI Chairman and Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said the Queen’s Baton Relay-2010 would help showcase the immense opportunities India offered to the Commonwealth’s business community. “India and the United Kingdom should aim at doubling the level of bilateral trade as well as investment within three to five years,” he said, adding that “we want to develop greater awareness of India’s multifaceted tourist attractions and investment opportunities.”

The Organising Committee said the Commonwealth Games Impact Study had indicated that the Gross Domestic Product of the host country had been impacted by every Games event over the past decade. Manchester-2002 resulted in a GDP of $3,400 million and Melbourne-2006 $1,600 million. The Delhi-2010 GDP is projected at $4,940 million. It is also estimated that India would generate 2.47 million job opportunities from 2008 to 2012.

Further, it said, CBCI and FICCI had planned business-to-business and government-to-business interactions in 13 cities of the Commonwealth during the Queen’s Baton Relay-2010.

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