British firms show keen interest to invest in TN: UK envoy

Many British companies are interested in investing in Tamil Nadu, British High Commissioner to India Sir Dominic Asquith said today.
He mentioned this to Chief Minister O Panneerselvam when he called on the latter at the State Secretariat.
"The British High Commissioner mentioned that Chennai is already home to many British companies and many more of them were evincing keen interest to invest in Tamil Nadu," an official release issued here said.
The envoy wanted to understand the "measures the Tamil Nadu government is taking to further attract investments in the state and the support that such investors could expect from the state government," it said.

State Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao highlighted the measures being taken to further strengthen the "single window mechanism" of the Guidance Bureau, a "very effective instrument in facilitating foreign and domestic companies."
He also referred to several surveys rating Tamil Nadu as one of the most "favoured destinations" for investment.

Pointing out that the state was a pioneer in "financial innovation," he said the "United Kingdom, a leader in financial industry would support the innovative financial mechanisms, including investment in the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Fund Management Corporation and Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Fund."
The British High Commissioner said that he would take up this proposal with the agencies concerned in the UK government and take the initiative forward, the release said.

Earlier, the envoy condoled the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Hailing her as a towering political personality, he said India had lost a very dynamic leader.
Panneerselvam said the state would miss her guidance and leadership.
Tamil Nadu is committed to ensuring that her policies, goals and objectives were realised and fulfilled, he said.
Top state and British High Commission officials participated in the meeting.