The British High Commission in India plans to increase the number of visas to be granted to four lakh per year, having already granted three lakh visas till October 2005. Michael Arthur, British high commissioner in India said, "It is the largest number of visas given to any country."
He added that as part of the deliberations with the Aviation Ministry, the number of flights to the UK from India will be increased from the present 45 per week to 100. British Airways also plans to operate five flights per week from Bangalore.
He added that there is a greater scope for SMEs to come to the UK because of its "e-readiness, low tax and the business friendly environment".
Highlighting research facilities available in the UK, he said the country is responsible for 5.5% of global R&D spending.
At present, the UK is the second largest global recipient of Overseas Direct Investment behind the US and accounts for 21.5% of all ODI in the European Union and 9% world-wide.
The UK's level of outward direct investment is greater than its level of ODI. It has a 36.5% share of all US investment in the EU. The EU receives about 46% of US global investment.