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UKIBC brings together businesses, UN, UK government and partners on critical SDG matters in Delhi~ UKIBC launched the third edition of its Socio-Economic Impact Casebook highlighting the role of business in driving a sustainable UK - India partnership ~ NEW DELHI, March 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As a part of its continued commitment to advance bilateral collaboration and mutual prosperity between the UK and India, UK India Business Council hosted a day-long Sustainability Conference and evening reception on the 'Socio-Economic Impact' of UK businesses in India in New Delhi. UKIBC's socio-economic impact campaign is a project to demonstrate how British businesses and universities are driving inclusive growth in India and globally, with a view to expanding partnerships on both sides. At the reception, UKIBC Group CEO, Richard McCallum, and UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia, Anna Shotbolt, were joined by UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Dennis Curry, UK lead negotiator on the UK-India FTA, Harjinder Kang, and Diageo Vice President Corporate Affairs, Sanjeev Vijh. The discussions focused on the role that businesses play in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the importance of business collaboration in the UK-India bilateral corridor. There, the UKIBC launched its third 'Socio-Economic Impact casebook' featuring a selection of case studies of UK businesses contributing to SDG fulfilment in India. The casebook shows how:
With more than 600 UK companies working in India, and the shared understanding that business has a societal role to play, investors are contributing to advancements in education, healthcare, gender equality, and energy, as well as creating jobs and economic growth. At the sustainability conference, held earlier on Thursday, Kate Thornley - Deputy Director India Trade Negotiations, Department for Business and Trade, UK Government emphasised the positive implications of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK on the industry and cross border trade movements. Highlighting the need for sustainable economic growth, she said, "Businesses and investors are increasingly conscientious of the part they play towards the achievement of sustainable development goals. There is definitely a need for accelerated public and private partnerships, and technology has a critical role to play in creating a cleaner, greener, and inclusive society." The conference saw participation from leading corporations and businesses including Arup, De La Rue, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC India, and Rolls Royce, as well as UNDP. The event saw extensive discussions on transitioning to greener growth, enablers for sustainable development, and technology and innovation where the speakers underpinned the role of industry, multi-stakeholder partnership and innovative solutions that are contributing to the sustainability agenda and socio-economic development. Key themes included financing structures that incentivise greening of business operations, making EV and mobility future ready, standards for sustainability, electric flights, among others. Business leaders including Yashika Singh, Pernod Ricard India; Nandita Saghal-Tully, ThomasLloyd Group; and Raghavan Nair Reghu Kumar, British Standards Institution highlighted how investment in technology, capability building, data traceability, finance and evaluation of green risk are going to play an important role in ensuring sustainable growth. Swetha Kolluri - Head of Experimentation, Accelerator Lab, UNDP India further added: "Digital technology has already played a transformative role in accelerating development in India particularly through Digital Public Infrastructure that has benefitted millions throughout the country. There is a need for policy framework and enablers to promote digital inclusion and unlock the full potential of digital transformation across the country for achieving SDGs." The UKIBC reiterated its continued commitment to work with its partners across government, along with its members and clients to facilitate collaboration between government, business and civil society to support sustainable development in the UK and India and help to ensure growth and prosperity in both countries. The UK India Business Council works to support trade and investment between the UK and India through policy advocacy and strategic advisory services. Link to download SEI Casebook https://www.ukibc.com/reports/better-together-socio-economic-impact-of-uk-companies-in-india/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2039882/UKIBC_SEI_Reception_Casebook_launch.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/ukibc-brings-together-businesses-un-uk-government-and-partners-on-critical-sdg-matters-in-delhi-301780752.html |