Global Investment Conference London 2012

Global Investment Conference which takes place on the eve of the Olympics, will be attended by more than 200 global financial & business leaders, Government ministers, investors and policy makers. The day will spark a global conversation and position the UK as a thought leader, a creative and innovative nation and a source of solutions to the global issues facing businesses today.

Firms that have signed up so far include Airbus, Alliance Boots, AMEC, ARM, Arup, ASOS, AstraZeneca, Atkins, Autonomy, Barclays, Beggars Group, Bharti Airtel, BHP  Biliton, BG Group, BT, Burberry, Cisco Systems, Diageo, EDF, Embraer Executive Jets, Facebook, GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC, Ideo, Intel, Imagination Technologies, Jaguar Land Rover, JCB, Kraft, Mother, Marks and Spencer, Pearson, M&C Saatchi, Mott Macdonald, NEC, Nestle, Nissan, Pinewood Studios, Rolls Royce, Shell, Sony Corporation, Siemens, TalkTalk, Telefonica, Vodafone, Warner Brothers, Working Title and WPP.

There will also be two country-specific events promoting trade with prior Olympic hosts China and the next hosts, Brazil.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

"The Olympics will not only bring the world's best athletes and thousands of sports fans to our country, but the major business players are coming too. This once in a lifetime occasion will provide UK companies with more than a billion pounds business opportunity. The conference and these events will place the UK at the forefront in addressing the challenges facing the global economy, and a chance to showcase UK business, secure new trade and inward investment and give our economy a major boost."

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

"The British Business Embassy provides an unmissable opportunity to show why Britain is the ideal place to invest and do business. The range of companies who have signed up is testament to the diverse talent we have here and I am sure that all those attending will find it a rewarding experience."

Minister for UK Trade & Investment, Lord Stephen Green said:

"London 2012 offers a fantastic opportunity to enhance the UK's reputation as an experienced and dynamic business partner. This is a chance to showcase what is 'Great' about our country and demonstrate our world class expertise in the execution and delivery of the most high profile sporting event to a global audience.

"Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma, left today for London to attend The Global Investment Conference which is taking place tomorrow. Shri Sharma will speak during a session on Global Trade Partnerships along with the British Minister of Business, Innovation and Skills Dr. Vince Cable and Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment, Nigeria.

Shri Sharma is also likely to have bilateral meetings with Dr. Vince Cable, and Mr. William Hague, British Foreign Secretary. He is also likely to meet Mr. Martin Kuba, Minister of Industry and Trade of Czech Republic.

During the Investment Conference Minister Sharma is likely to touch upon the global economic architecture and challenges being faced by the world trade. He may also highlight the new partnerships that India has formed during the recent time in new markets. In the bilateral meetings with the British Ministers, he will discuss the issues of mutual interest and review the growth of economic ties between India and the United Kingdom.

The bilateral trade between India and UK in 2011 stood at US$ 16.395 billion which has increased from US$ 11.619 billion in 2010 marking an increase of 41%. The exports in the year 2010 were US$ 6.454 billion which increased to US$ 8.920 billion in 2011 and the imports of US$ 5.165 billion in 2010 had also increased to US$ 7.474 billion in the year 2011. During the period January-May 2012, exports have been US$ 3.374 billion while imports have been US$ 2.772 billion taking the total trade to US$ 6.146 billion.