UK keen to partner with Kerala govt in healthcare, education: Bharat Joshi

KOCHI: The United Kingdom is looking at working with Kerala government and several Indian companies in various sectors, including healthcare, education and green technology, British Deputy High Commissioner at Chennai, Bharat Joshi said today.

"We would like to have much more visible presence in Kerala, especially Kochi," Joshi told reporters here.

UK had participated in the ' Emerging Kerala' meet organised by the state government, which was followed by the visit of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, and it is the start of a closer relationship with Kerala, he said.

Among new areas of trade and cooperation, UK is looking at advanced engineering, information and communication technology, electronics, green technology, health and education.

"We are looking to work with Kerala government and local institutions for healthcare and other projects," he said.

On the setting up of a trade centre in Kochi, Joshi said they are presently in negotiations with the state and central governments.

Hoping to double its trade volume with India by 2015, the UK had seen a 3.9 billion pounds increase in trade between 2010 and 2012, he said.

UK-based companies like Marks & Spencer, British Gas and Vodofone are also increasing their investments in the country.

Last year, the UK had issued 4,00,000 visas to India, which was 'phenomenal', he said.

The British Council has launched several initiatives for students to choose the UK as a preferred destination for education. This year, a scholarship campaign for Indian students has also been launched, he said.

The Council is also keen to have students from the UK to come to Kerala where there are reputed educational institutions like Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode, he added.