Bengaluru’s significant contribution—13% of total FDI inflows—underscores its role as a key player in the global investment landscape, according to a business growth agency.
Bengaluru has emerged as a frontrunner among Indian cities driving foreign direct investment (FDI) into London, accounting for an impressive 13 per cent of global FDI inflows into the British capital last year, according to Hemin Bharucha, Regional Director-India and Middle East, London & Partners, a business growth agency.
Speaking to indianexpress.com on Thursday, Bharucha said, “India contributes to 30 per cent of London’s global FDI. But of all the winds that come from India, 40 per cent come from Bengaluru alone. So, if you see, about 13 per cent of global FDI that came into London last year was from Bengaluru alone. Other cities are not far behind. Mumbai, Pune, in the west, and Delhi and the NCR in the north are also frontrunners. We are also seeing a lot of success from fast-emerging cities like Coimbatore, Madurai, Chandigarh, etc.”
Janet Coyle, Managing Director (Business Growth), London & Partners, stated that this year alone, the agency has helped 23 companies from India while it assisted 31 to expand last year. “We also measure the gross value added (GVA) to the economy. For Indian companies, it’s around 40 million pounds annually. We measure GVA based on jobs created, sectors they are in, and growth potential,” said Coyle, who is on a two-day visit to India to discuss business trends and innovation between London and Indian cities, key sectors, tech collaborations, and the future of India-UK business opportunities.
Coyle said the London & Partners team in Bengaluru is keen on engaging with businesses in the city focusing on artificial intelligence, software-as-a-service companies, health tech, and other tech companies. “Our team here in Bengaluru is starting to see more interest in decarbonisation-type products and companies, health technologies, medical devices, life sciences, and businesses that are incubated out of premier institutions. That’s where a lot of these new innovations are born and then they grow into startups. We are also looking forward to supporting bio-innovation companies and venture capitalists who are funding them and helping them expand internationally,” she said.
Coyle emphasised that many Indian companies already well established in London are now seeking access to universities in the British capital to tap research opportunities in AI. “Well-established companies like TCS, Wipro, HCL, and Mphasis have been in London for decades. They’re excited about the talent and innovation in London. They now want access to our universities for collaborations, particularly in AI, as it’s a core strategy in London. In fact, companies like Mphasis, HCL, and Wipro have already set up AI hubs in London, and we are in talks with some AI companies in India who have expressed interest in expanding to London,” she said.
Coyle said that while companies don’t receive grants or free office space for expansion, the agency offers tailored services that are free. “We work with every company on an individual basis, helping them understand the right structure to set up in the UK. We connect them to partners, potential new customers, corporates, government, and regulators, among other stakeholders. We also connect them to investors if they are looking for growth capital and provide support in hiring the right talent. Additionally, London also serves as a gateway to other global markets like Africa, the Middle East, and the rest of Europe,” she said.
source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)