HC Deb 27 March 2000 vol 347 cc45-6W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Global Enterprise Initiative. [116046]

Mr. Caborn

The Global Enterprise Initiative will be launched in the United Kingdom later this spring. It is a British Trade International scheme designed to bring British and Indian companies together in commercial co-operation—eg joint ventures or distribution agreements. We seek to encourage British firms to look again at the growing opportunities for them in India. The scheme has been tested successfully on the ground in India, and during his visit to India in January, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced a target for the Global Enterprise Initiative to develop 200 new business partnerships over the next two years.