Investment Attraction

The Manchester India Partnership (MIP) was established to enhance trade, investment, and cultural ties between India and Greater Manchester. A significant challenge faced by the MIP was the lack of direct connectivity between Manchester and India, which hindered business relations and trade opportunities. To address this, the MIP supported the launch of a direct flight route from Manchester to Mumbai by Jet Airways in November 2018. This initiative proved to be highly successful, achieving over 90% load factor within its first three months of operation, thereby facilitating increased travel and trade between the two regions.

In addition to improving connectivity, the MIP has focused on aligning trade and investment initiatives with Indian government programs such as Digital India and Make in India. This alignment has opened up substantial opportunities for collaboration in sectors where Greater Manchester excels, including health, technology, advanced manufacturing, and energy. For instance, Firstsource, a global Business Process Management provider, committed to investing in the North of England, which is expected to create around 1,000 new jobs across various regions, further strengthening the local economy.

The partnership has also fostered research and innovation through collaborations between Indian companies and local institutions. Tech Mahindra, an Indian IT services giant, has established its 'headquarters of the North' in Manchester, working with Salford University to create an innovation hub for technology start-ups. This hub is designed to support the development of new ideas and concepts, enhancing the region's capacity for innovative research and development.

Furthermore, the MIP has facilitated educational partnerships that provide knowledge exchange and employment opportunities for students in both regions. Collaborations between the University of Bolton and the Karnataka State Higher Education Board, as well as the University of Salford's partnerships with Indian institutions, have led to the development of programs in critical areas such as smart cities, health and wellbeing, and advanced manufacturing.

Overall, the MIP's targeted initiatives have not only improved connectivity and trade but have also significantly contributed to job creation, innovation, and educational opportunities, thereby strengthening the economic and cultural ties between Manchester and India.