Access India Programme
Access India Programme
Access India Programme is one of its kind. It is a market entry support programme that was recently launched in order to support businesses in the United Kingdom to access the Government of India’s flagship initiative, Make in India. This programme focuses on offering support to small and medium enterprises in the UK. The AIP has immense support since both countries have committed to working together in order to substantially create and increase the opportunities in the Trade and Investment Sectors. This article talks about the Access India Programme and the various essentials of the same.
Overview
The Access India Programme is a flagship programme created by the High Commission of India in the UK. The AIP is a market entry support programme, first of its kind, to support businesses in the UK to access the Make in India initiative launched in 2014 by the Government of India. This programme solely focuses on providing support to small and medium enterprises in the UK. The Make in India initiative is designed to achieve the following in more than 25 sectors of the Indian economy:
- To facilitate investments
- To foster innovation
- Enhance skill development
- Protect intellectual property
- Build state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure
The Make in India initiative has garnered positive responses from UK-based investors who will play a vital role in building more significant synergies. This would be possible with the UK’s robust manufacturing industry, experience in sustainable development, innovation and skills, coupled with new opportunities in India. Bi-lateral investments and trade between the two countries have been on a steady increase. However, the spotlight has always been on significant companies and multinational corporations. Therefore, this programme focusses on the SME sector.
Make in India
Make in India was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and is considered to be one of India’s most ambitious campaign. The purpose of launching the campaign is to turn India into a global manufacturing hub. Make in India was a major national programme of the Indian Government and was designed to facilitate investments, foster innovations, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property and build the best in class manufacturing infrastructure in India.
The primary objective of Make in India is to attract investments from across the globe in order to strengthen the country’s manufacturing sector. It is directed by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The programme is considered to be essential for the country’s economic growth as it focuses on utilising the existing talent base, creating employment opportunities, and empowering the secondary and tertiary sectors as well. It also aims at bringing up India’s rank on the EoDB index by discarding unnecessary laws and regulations, simplifying bureaucratic processes, and making the Government processes more transparent, responsive and accountable.
The main focus of the Make in India programme is on 25 specific sectors, such as:
- Automobiles
- Aviation
- Chemicals
- IT & BPM
- Pharmaceuticals
- Construction
- Defence Manufacturing
- Electrical Machinery
- Food Processing
- Textiles and Garments
- Ports
- Leather
- Media and Entertainment
- Wellness
- Mining
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Railways
- Automobile Components
- Renewable Energy
- Biotechnology
- Space
- Thermal Power
- Roads and Highways
- Electronics Systems.
Objectives
The Access India Programme aims to strengthen the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in India and focuses on making the smooth market entry for small and medium companies. It is geared to address the various requirements of manufacturing, technology and service sector companies.
The AIP seeks to identify high-potential SME companies in the UK and to assist them in ways to establish themselves in India. The AIP aims to offer a detailed programme of activity, mentoring, network opportunities and market entry support services. Services would include areas involving strategy advisory, tax and legal support, operational market entry support, financial services, project financing, Mergers and Acquisitions, location services, technology collaboration, and facilitation of approvals from the Central and State agencies will be offered.
Benefits
Make in India is the country’s flagship initiative. The Government Legislation is all set to encourage international business to opt for India as their business destination. The Government of India is focused on facilitating international businesses of various sizes, including the small ones too. The High Commission will deliver the Access India Programme (AIP) of India in London in association with the UK India Business Council. This would also comprise of a selection of expert Programme Partners and Mentors. The focus is to share expertise, innovation, and help entrepreneurs explore mutually beneficial collaborations with India.
The AIP is designed to offer a blend of strategic advisory support coupled with high-level interaction concerning both Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government. Guidance and mentorship are provided from experienced partners at every vital step. Some of the key benefits of an enterprise enrolling for the AIP are:
- Information on market landscapes in India.
- Understanding and reviewing the relevant India Business Plan.
- Practical support for developing and converting business plan in India into a reality.
- Indian business cultures
- Policy, Regulation and Legislation in relevant segments in the country.
- Legal requirements for the business’ Indian presence.
- Taxation
- Choosing the right Indian business model
- Partnerships in India
- Taking advantage of various economic incentives from the Government of India.
- Understanding the drivers of the Local, State and Central Government.
- Developing and fostering relations with the Government.
- Mapping the essential business networks to flourish.
- Understanding the rules and regulations concerning Human Resources.
- Protection of Intellectual Property
As a programme member, an applicant will become part of an exclusive community. This would enable them to share experiences and the most viable practice options. Members will enjoy access to multiple resources, unique insights and knowledge. They will be able to benefit from various network connections across the Governments and businesses in the UK as well as in India. The programme prepares a member to fast-track their presence in India, and in parallel, learn how to and what will be required for effective implementation of their overall strategy.
Offers by the AIP
The Access India Programme not only offers a wide array of information, workshops, networking and business support services through a single platform but provides mentoring support to make the initial foundations in India secure and productive. Services would include areas involving strategy advisory, tax and legal support, operational market entry support, financial services, project financing, Mergers and Acquisitions, location services, technology collaboration, and facilitation of approvals from the Central and State agencies will be offered. Close supervision of the selected company’s market will be kept in order to ensure success.
The programme will support selected high-potential small and medium enterprises in the UK that have advanced in terms of market entry with a clear vision for localisation. However, companies that are at an early stage of market entry, but possess a medium to long-term potential for localisation and manufacturing in India, shall be considered for support too. Technology companies looking to partner up with Indian companies or institutions for technological tie-ups will be supported under the programme as well.
