A business champion from India has been in Wolverhampton this week to learn about investment opportunities available in the city.

Type=image;ImageID=3006;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Chandrakant Salunke during his visit to the city;TitleClass=strong;

Chandrakant Salunke, President of the SME Chamber of India, that represents small to medium sized enterprises, has met with representatives from the council and University of Wolverhampton.

Mr Salunke, who is also President of the India-UK SME Business Council, signed a Memorandum of Understanding alongside Wolverhampton City Council Chief Executive Simon Warren and Professor Ian Oakes from the university.

His trip to Wolverhampton follows a trade visit by Wolverhampton City Council's Business Development and Investment Manager Jay Patel and Nigel Birch, from the university, last month.

The delegation held presentations in India showcasing what Wolverhampton has to offer and the support businesses looking to invest in the city would receive.

As a result of that, Mr Salunke decided to find out more about Wolverhampton and what the city can offer to businesses in India.

He arrived in the city yesterday (20 November) to find out about manufacturing in the city, collaborating on product development and looking at potential supply chain opportunities with major aerospace and automative companies.

He visited a number of key sites in the area including i54 South Staffordshire, Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre while also meeting with SME firms from the city.

Today, he will meet with representatives from the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

Simon Warren, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton City Council, said: "We are delighted to welcome Mr Salunke to Wolverhampton.

"It is pleasing to hear he was so impressed with our presentations that he wanted to see what we have to offer for himself and I am sure his visit will be very useful and informative for him and the businesses he represents.

"Attracting inward investment to Wolverhampton remains a key aim for us and harnessing relationships with a major international economy such as India can only be mutually beneficial."

  • released: Thursday 21 November, 2013