The UK’s Chemical Industries Association and its counterpart in India, the Indian Chemistry Council, have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai on 15 April 2009 on the UK Pavilion at the Chemspec India trade fair.

The CIA’s Head of International Trade, Neil Harvey said today, "This occasion represents a triple-first for the association. It is the first time this Millennium that we have taken a group of companies to India; it is the first time we have put together a UK pavilion at Chemspec India with support from the official UK Trade & Investment organisation; and the Memorandum of Understanding will be the first that the association has signed to encourage the development of trade and investment between the UK and a non-EU country. We hope that bilateral initiatives that arise out of the MoU will foster increased mutual business opportunities."

Harvey added, "Indian chemical companies have prominence in the global chemicals market. As Indian chemical companies grow they will welcome new international business development opportunities; the UK offers key advantages for trade and investment, which is why the UK remains Europe’s number one investment destination. Several Indian chemical companies have already successfully invested in UK based production and R&D facilities."

Contact Name: Fiona Ferguson