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MAJOR
INDIAN TRANSPORT PROJECTS READY FOR INVESTMENT
(15 January 2008)
 A
new report which spells out full details of every major Indian transport
project which British companies can invest in was launched by Trade
and Investment Minister Lord Digby Jones in New Delhi, India today.
The report not only identifies the projects but also the barriers
and incentives to win contracts and was launched at an event attended
by some 100 Indian companies involved in the Indian transport construction
sector including DS Group, Larsen and Toubro, Gammon India Ltd and
Punj Lloyd. UK companies present included Bombardier, Arup and Benoy.
Lord
Digby Jones said: "This report shows incredible detail. It
highlights that 116 airport x ray baggage inspection systems are
to be purchased by 2008 and that there are currently plans to upgrade
16 train stations from New Delhi to Lucknow.
"But
more importantly it highlights the route for entry. For example,
100 per cent FDI is permissible for the development of all greenfield
and brownfield airports and also that the entire road and highways
network has been declared an industry allowed to commercially borrow.
"
Some
of the key findings of the UK Trade and Investment report show that:
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£4.5bn of Government money is earmarked to upgrade 25 airports
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India has the largest road network in the world aggregating 3.3
million km and £27bn of Government money is earmarked for
roads and highways development
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There are plans to implement 276 port projects valued at £6.3
billion.
Lord
Digby Jones added: "UK companies must often partner with Indian
companies to win contracts. This is why I am launching this report
at a seminar where both UK and Indian companies can talk about potential
partnerships.
"The
partnership between the UK and India is growing fast. Bombardier
supplies 340 metro cars to the Delhi metro, Pinsent Mason supply
legal services for Delhi airport and Beckett Rankine did the masterplan
for the new port of Krishnapatnam, north of Chennai.
The
Minister also used the opportunity to highlight British expertise
in Public Private Partnerships which the Indian Government is interested
in to help quickly build up the nation's infrastructure.
"Delhi
and Mumbai international airports became India's first two PPP joint
venture airports with estimated investment in both airports to be
in excess of 1.9 billion pounds.
"I
was delighted that Mott Macdonald developed the masterplan for the
Delhi's new international airport which will ultimately have a capacity
to handle 100 million passengers every year.
"Over
70 countries have come to the UK seeking advice on PPP. For example,
we have helped Singapore develop its PPP model, and it is now taking
forward projects in education and sports infrastructure development.
"The
UK is India's natural partner of choice as the Indian people enjoy
the reality of a step change in infrastructure investment."
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