London: The UK chapter of the FICCI International Business Forum was launched in London on May 14 night amid the hope that the bilateral trade turnover between India and Britain would double from the existing 5 billion Pounds to 10 billion Pounds by 2007.

The Forum provides one-point contact for serving business interests and ensures an accurate and reliable information source of the Indian economy.

It also promises to provide company information, market surveys, Indian tender announcements, governmental policy changes and regular analyses of the Indian economy.

The launch of the UK chapter was done at a reception hosted by Dr A C Muthiah, President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), in the presence of Indian High Commissioner Ronen Sen, the Co-Chairman of the India-UK Round Table Lord Swraj Paul, leading Non- Resident Indian (NRI) businessman Sir G K Noon and G P Hinduja, President of the Hinduja Group, Baroness Usha Prashar and members of the visiting Indo-British Parliamentary Forum led by Proful Patel, MP.

Speaking on the occasion, Sen said the Forum would give new impetus to the already existing strong India-UK ties and help further improve economic and political relations.

"We are encouraged by the increasing trade on both sides - India's investment in Britain is equal to Britain's investment in India," the High Commissioner said.

Lord Swraj Paul said the bilateral trade would double and reach 10 billion Pounds by 2007.

PTI