The British deputy high commissioner to eastern India, Dr Jhon Mitchiner told The Financial Express that his country is quite confident of achieving the EII target of firming up 200 new partnerships by March 2002. "We are not interested in large and multinational companies for the partnership. Rather, we are looking for small and medium entrepreneurs so that we can play a major role in making the units globally competitive," he said. The British deputy high commissioner was here on Monday to announce Best of Britain, a five-day business and cultural event which would begin on November 20.

Dr Mitchiner said Britain is focusing on Orissa for more collaborations, especially in the fields of information technology, tourism, energy and infrastructure. Stating that several Orissa-based companies have been identified for collaborations, he said: "We are moving for the actual tie-ups."

Nearly 21 Orissa-based companies, including Ispat Alloys of Balasore, have been listed as potential partners under the Indo-British partnership. The Department for International Development (DfID) of UK is a partner in Orissa's development programmes. Dr Mitchiner said DfID is involved in several ongoing projects in the state and its total financial involvement is around £215 million (Rs 1,400 crore). DfID has initiated reforms in the public sector (£19 million), power (£90 million), health (£12 million), rural development (£8 million) as well as urban poverty reduction projects (£12 million) in Orissa. It has committed £74 million for rehabilitation of cyclone victims and reconstructions in the state. According to Dr Mitchiner, bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Britain currently stands at £4 billion compared with £1.3 billion in 1993. In 2000-2001, UK's exports to India increased by 47 per cent and India's exports to Britain by 20 per cent.

Asserting that UK is emerging as a strong nation in the world, Dr Mitchiner said his country is now the top location for inward investments into Europe, accounting for 25 per cent of all inward investments into the European Union. Nine of Europe's top 25 companies are either British or part-British.

The annual economic growth rate has averaged at 2.6 per cent since 1997 compared with two per cent between 1979 and 1997. Employment has increased by more than one million since 1997 and more people are at work in Britain now than ever before. Inflation in the UK is at its lowest in the last 30 years and is currently the lowest among EU countries.

The five-day Best of Britain show would be inaugurated by Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Britain is simultaneously organising separate workshops on infrastructure, energy, tourism and information technology to highlight the products, services, technical knowhow and consultancy being offered to Indian entrepreneurs. A jazz concert by leading UK music group Christine Tobin has also been organised, besides a film festival featuring contemporary British films. A book exhibition would also be held during the five days of the Best of Britain show.