IoD Press Release. Welcoming the Prime Minister’s trade mission to India, Allie Renison, Head of Trade Policy at the Institute of Directors, said:

“It is very encouraging to see Theresa May personally making an effort to deepen trade and economic ties between the UK and fast-growing markets like India.  While a fully comprehensive trade agreement cannot be negotiated until the UK has left the EU, the Government can make progress through partnership and cooperation agreements between our respective regulators, in addition to signing bilateral business deals.

“However, the Prime Minister must recognise that labour mobility and visas are key to deepening trade for a services-based economy like the UK. A case in point is higher education, one of Britain’s most successful  exports, where applications from Indian students are significantly down in recent years. The Prime Minister could really boost this sector by reforming the net migration target, allowing a world class industry to flourish and sending a message that would be very well received in India.”