NRI, Diljit Rana prominent businessman

Dr Diljit Rana MBE, a leading figure in the Indian community in Northern Ireland, led a trade mission of 13 companies to India from 11-17 November. The mission members spent two days in New Delhi, 11 and 12 November, before leaving for Mumbai.

The mission, seeking to build business in India’s fast growing marketplace, was organised by Invest Northern Ireland, the economic development agency for Northern Ireland.

Apart from exporters specialising in biotechnology, civil engineering, road construction equipment and consumer goods, the delegation included five IT businesses including two contact centre operators, Answercall and HCL Technologies. The latter is a joint venture between New Delhi-based HCL Technologies and British Telecom.

Commenting on the mission, Dr Rana said: “Business opportunities in India for Northern Ireland companies are substantial, particularly in the areas of infrastructural projects, information technology and consumer goods. India is a rapidly developing marketplace with particularly strong links with the United Kingdom. In 2000, for example, UK-India bilateral trade was worth over $8 billion.

Dr Diljit Rana, Chairman, Andras House, has made a major contribution to the economic regeneration of the city of Belfast through the development of hotels, restaurants, fashion shops and modern office accomodation. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Northern Ireland economy, Mr Rana was awarded MBE (Member of British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II.

Martin Bell, Invest Northern Ireland’s mission manager, said, “Investment programmes by the Indian authorities on the modernisation of the motorway network, on airports and harbours provide significant scope for companies offering a broad range of products and services.”

The companies that took part in the mission represented a range of sectors from software to consumer goods and all are optimistic about the opportunities that India offers. Northern Ireland companies can also offer Indian businesses a platform for expansion into Europe, which is soon to become the world’s biggest marketplace. The companies that participated:

Randox Laboratories Ltd – Manufactures clinical chemistry kits, reagents and quality control sera for use in hospitals and veterinary laboratories.
Relay Software – Specialises in software solutions for the insurance industry, in particular the ‘insurance broker’ market.
Rutledge Recruitment & Training – Provides advice, training, and business support services to individuals, companies and organisations. They have a specialist


	In India, Northern Ireland companies seek tie-ups Dr Diljit Rana MBE, a leading figure in the Indian community in Northern Ireland, led a trade mission of 13 companies to India from 11-17 November. The mission members spent two days in New Delhi, 11 and 12 November, before leaving for Mumbai. The mission, seeking to build business in India’s fast growing marketplace, was organised by Invest Northern Ireland, the economic development agency for Northern Ireland. Apart from exporters specialising in biotechnology, civil engineering, road construction equipment and consumer goods, the delegation included five IT businesses including two contact centre operators, Answercall and HCL Technologies. The latter is a joint venture between New Delhi-based HCL Technologies and British Telecom. Commenting on the mission, Dr Rana said: “Business opportunities in India for Northern Ireland companies are substantial, particularly in the areas of infrastructural projects, information technology and consumer goods. India is a rapidly developing marketplace with particularly strong links with the United Kingdom. In 2000, for example, UK-India bilateral trade was worth over $8 billion. Dr Diljit Rana, Chairman, Andras House, has made a major contribution to the economic regeneration of the city of Belfast through the development of hotels, restaurants, fashion shops and modern office accomodation. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Northern Ireland economy, Mr Rana was awarded MBE (Member of British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II. Martin Bell, Invest Northern Ireland’s mission manager, said, “Investment programmes by the Indian authorities on the modernisation of the motorway network, on airports and harbours provide significant scope for companies offering a broad range of products and services.” The companies that took part in the mission represented a range of sectors from software to consumer goods and all are optimistic about the opportunities that India offers. Northern Ireland companies can also offer Indian businesses a platform for expansion into Europe, which is soon to become the world’s biggest marketplace. The companies that participated: Randox Laboratories Ltd – Manufactures clinical chemistry kits, reagents and quality control sera for use in hospitals and veterinary laboratories. Relay Software – Specialises in software solutions for the insurance industry, in particular the ‘insurance broker’ market. Rutledge Recruitment & Training – Provides advice, training, and business support services to individuals, companies and organisations. They have a specialist