FM P Chidambaram leaves for 3 nation tour to woo investors

NEW DELHI: In a bid to sell India story and lure overseas investments, Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday embarked on a three-nation tour to UK, France and Qatar.

During the 5-day tour, Chidambaram will hold a meeting with his UK counterpart George Osborne and address investor conferences. He will also hold meetings with leading UK investors.

Leading a delegation, Chidambaram will participate in the Sixth Ministerial India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) tomorrow, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

He will also have discussions on current financial sector reforms by UK and India's regulatory bodies, it added.

Chidambaram and Osborne are also likely to hold discussions on G-20 Clearing Committee on OTC derivatives, priority sector lending, Bangalore-Mumbai economic corridor and visa issues.

During the second lap of his foreign visit, Chidambaram would reach Paris on May 17, 2013.

He is scheduled to hold a meeting with leading investors and have discussions with OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria during his one day stay in Paris.

Thereafter, Chidambaram will arrive in Doha, Qatar on May 18, 2013 where he will hold discussions with the Minister of Economic and Finance Yousef Hussan Kamal.

Chidambaram will also meet CEO of Qatar Investment Authority and CEO of Qatari Business Association among others.