The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Ian Luder, will be in Hyderabad on Monday 19 October. In Hyderabad, he will visit a HSBC micro-finance project, announce the winners of the annual Mansion House scholarship and meet senior business to discuss how the City of London can support businesses in Hyderabad.

The Lord Mayor said:  "India's future as a leading economy of the 21st century is certain and the City of London and the UK as a whole would like to share in that future. Bilateral trade is over £ 12 billion. The UK is the third largest investor in India. UK firms account for some 11% of tech-transfer approvals in India over the last two decades."

"Hyderabad is an exciting place to do business and the City of London is keen to be a partner in its expansion. During my visit I will discuss the benefits financial services can bring to all of India and am very much looking forward to visiting the micro-finance project in Medak District. It is a good example of what can be achieved if financial services are used properly. It demonstrates the role financial services play in lifting people out of poverty and in enabling the customer to gain confidence and new skills."

The Lord Mayor's visit to India will include discussion about increased collaboration in areas such as insurance, banking and legal services, as well sharing UK expertise for the development of the Indian corporate debt market and in the area of infrastructure finance. The business delegation accompanying the Lord Mayor on his visit includes senior representatives of all the major financial services sectors: banking, insurance, legal services and accountancy. Cass Business School and the London Stock Exchange will also be represented.

As part of his visit to India, the Lord Mayor will explore collaboration in infrastructure finance. India has set a target of $500 billion in infrastructure development and the Lord Mayor is keen to see how UK capital, PPP and carbon-emissions trading expertise can help. He will explore how clearer guidelines, transparency and timelines in project bidding can allow UK firms to be a part of India's infrastructure story.

Media queries, please contact: Mr. R Fernandez, Head (South India), Press & Public Affairs, British Deputy High Commission. Mob: 0-98403-40282. Email: R.Fernandez@fco.gov.uk.

Notes for Editors

The City of London: is one of the world's leading international finance centres. As head of the City of London Corporation, which provides business and local government services to the City, the Lord Mayor of the City of London's principal role is ambassador for all UK-based financial and professional services. The Lord Mayor of London is not the Mayor of (Greater) London Web:

The Lord Mayor of the City of London: is elected for one year and the position is unpaid and apolitical. It is an exceptionally demanding role. He spends some 90 days abroad and addresses some 10,000 people face-to-face each month (making around 800 speeches a year).  He listens to City businesses and helps the City Corporation advise the Government of the day on what is needed to help the financial services sector to function well. He frequently travels to represent the City; and travels overseas with the status of a Cabinet Minister. On average, he will meet one head of state a month and will meet a prime minister or finance minister each week to discuss financial services, often in conjunction with senior City business representatives. The Lord Mayor, who is unpaid, lives in the Mansion House for the Mayoral year.

The UK - global business hub

• The City is internationally-owned, managed and staffed; many firms use London as a gateway to Europe. The City leads the world in advisory and finance around a low-carbon economy and offers unrivalled expertise in carbon emissions trading.
• The European Cities Monitor Report 2009 from Cushman & Wakefield surveyed executives who are in charge of locating their businesses, at 500 of Europe's largest companies. London was voted number one city in Europe in which to locate a business for the 20th year in a row. London came first in all three major criteria: access to markets, talent supply and connectivity (digital and physical).
• The World Bank's Doing Business Report 2010, published recently, lists the UK as the best place to do business in Europe.
• The World Economic Forum Financial Development Report 2009 has ranked the UK number one across the world.

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