OREANDA-NEWS. The Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced a partnership between UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the Tata Management Training Centre where Tata will provide a programme of mentoring and support for innovative UK technology SMEs entering the Indian market. The programme is a key component of UKTI’s commitment to support UK’s innovative technology SMEs develop partnerships with Indian businesses through its new Technology Partnerships service (established in 2012).

Starting with a pilot in the summer of 2013, Tata and UKTI will develop and deliver a programme of business-oriented education, mentoring and hands-on support for up to 20 UK technology SMEs. The pilot will be delivered over seven days and will take place both in India and the UK.

Speaking at an event at Lancaster House in London, Mr Osborne said: "The package of business-oriented education, mentoring and hands-on support we announced today is a key component of UKTI’s commitment to assist UK high-tech SMEs increase their understanding of the business culture of Indian firms and encourage the creation of partnerships that lead to growth in the rapidly emerging Indian market and globally.”

Director of Tata Limited in London, Anwar Hasan, added: “This announcement underscores our long-term commitment to the UK as we provide tangible support to help pioneering British SMEs to make their proposition compelling for potential Indian partners and customers. Having been involved in British-Indian business for over 100 years, and as a major investor in the UK, Tata’s experience spans multiple sectors. The 20 companies who will participate in this year’s pilot programme will benefit from interacting with, and drawing on the experience of a range of Tata companies across the Tata group.”

After an initial day in the UK, Tata Management Training Centre in India will deliver an intensive 6-day immersion in how to grow a small technology business in India in collaboration with Indian partners. It will include industry insights from relevant parts of the Tata group, as well as from other companies and organisations. Each participant will leave with a tangible, actionable plan on how to build and grow their business in India over the next 12-18 months.