UK likely to open trade office at Kochi

UK is planning to open its first trade office in the South at Kochi of Kerala , British Deputy High Commissioner-Chennai, Bharat Joshi, today said.
"As soon as we get necessary clearances from the authorities, the trade office would be opened," Joshi told reporters here.
Throughout India, UK has plans to open around 10 such offices, he said.
Pointing out that there was growing interest in Kerala, he said large number of overseas visitors from UK were visiting the state. According to figures released by Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO), 13,000 tourists from the UK came to Kerala in 2012.

UK will be organising a big event in Kochi on February 21 to showcase their best things, he said, adding, at least 20 companies will be coming to Kochi for the same.
After the visit of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles to Kochi in November last, there is lot of interest in Kochi, he said.
Efforts are being made to encourage more Indian students to come to UK for pursuing higher studies, he said.
In 2013, the number of students going to UK from India fell, which was probably due to rupee devaluation, he said.