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INFRASTRUCTURE

India has a massive infrastructure deficit which needs to be addressed urgently in order to sustain economic growth and cope with increasing migration to the cities. The government plans to invest $500bn in infrastructure to 2012 and to double this up to 2017. The main focus is on roads, rail, airports, ports, as well as a huge residential and commercial buildings programme and the associated utility provision to accompany it.

The road building sector has been identified as a priority $50bn opportunity for UK business. Other infrastructure opportunities include plans for high-speed rail links connecting major cities. More than $7bn is earmarked to upgrade 25 airports and there are plans for in excess of 200 port projects, valued at more than $11bn. Areas such as architectural services, project management and PPP financing models offer significant potential to UK firms.

INNOVATION

Although India’s economy is growing at a tremendous rate, some of its population are among the world’s poorest people. As a result, there is demand for technology to deliver solutions to the country’s challenges, like transforming healthcare service delivery (e-health), increasing the reach of education, reducing industrial and consumer energy consumption and improving public-sector efficiency. There are high-value opportunities for technology businesses in these areas.

While the UK is known for technology innovation, commercialisation of R&D and problem solving, India has a reputation for software quality, ability to deliver at scale and process efficiency. These complementary strengths bode well for partnerships with Indian firms.

springboard: | www.ukti.gov.uk | page 23