QSs urged to go for India

The British Consultants and Construction Bureau, which represents UK firms abroad, is organising a seminar mission to New Delhi next February. The mission is supported by governmental body UK Trade & Investment.

In a letter sent to possible delegates the BCCB said there would be opportunities for companies expert in: masterplanning and legacy planning; finance and cost control; PPP; design; and project management. The four-day mission will include a seminar, site visits and talks from officials in charge of the Games including members of the Indian Olympic association.

The BCCB trip came as QS firms declared their interest in setting up operations in India.

WT Partnership confirmed its interest in moving into the country. Chairman Andrew Broomfield said the firm’s Australian arm was heavily involved in preparations for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in next year and was interested in transferring that experience to New Delhi. He said: “Having cracked China it’s one of the next places for us to look at. We’ll obviously have to do our homework first.”

Having cracked China it’s one of the next places for us to look at

Andrew Broomfield, Chairman, WT Partnership

Cyril Sweett, which declared its intentions to enter the market in September, said it was in talks to form an alliance with one of two local QS firms in India.

International director Jimmi Bradbury said one of the firms had offices dotted around the country, from Mumbai to Pune, Chenai and Delhi. He said the other had operations in Mumbai and Dehli. Bradbury said: “It fits into our international strategy of forming a partnership with firms with good national capabilities in the countries.”

Other firms who spoke to QS News were less keen to set up shop in India. Gleeds senior partner Richard Steer said the firm had visited the country but concluded that there was not enough demand for UK consultant as India already had established QS and PM practices.