LONDON: During his trip to India last September, Prime Minister Tony Blair had promised to institute the UK Trade and Investment India Business Awards. On Friday morning the promise was realised at the London Stock Exchange. Leading Indian businessmen gathered at the Stock Exchange to officially launch the awards and encourage businessmen from the UK and India to enter the awards.
Karan Billimoria, the founder and CEO of Cobra Beer and the UK Chairman of the Indo-British Partnership announced the launch of the awards. The Indian Business Awards are the first created by any government to specifically recognise India's global business influence and success.
"The wonderful thing about these awards is that they really are about the relationship between India and Britain. British business is waking up to India, and these awards will go a long way to inspire people in both countries," said Karan Billimoria. Indian High Commissioner Kamalesh Sharma was also present at the event.
Billimoria will head the jury panel. Others on the jury are Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CEO Biocon Ltd, Hugh Sandeman, Director India, London Stock Exchange, Nigel Turner CEO BMI, Kiran Karnik, president Nasscom, S Ramadorai, CEO TCS, and Saurabh Srivastava, CEO Xansa.
Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive UK Trade & Investment, invited Indian and UK companies to submit nominations for the awards. Nominations close on June 30.
