In a move to widen the reach of home-grown Indian start-ups in the international market, the Maharashtra government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the British government under the ‘ACT4Green' programme. The move will enable the Indian and UK start-ups to expand internationally through market entry support in their respective cross-border markets of interest.
The MoU was signed during a virtual ceremony organised by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS), a nodal agency set up under the aegis of Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship of the Maharashtra government.
Society is responsible for the execution of the state's innovative start-up policy. The MoU was signed between senior Maharashtra IAS officer Deependra Singh Kushwah, CEO of MSInS and Karen McLuskie, Deputy Director, Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) of the UK government during a virtual ceremony on Thursday.
Through this partnership, the two organisations look to strengthen the existing tech start-up ecosystem in Maharashtra by accelerating technological innovations that address urgent climate change challenges and leverage the potential of emerging technologies to drive sustainable economic growth in both countries.
While talking about the new pact, Maharashtra Minister for Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Nawab Malik, said, “ACT4Green programme strengthens strategic links between Indian and UK innovation ecosystems. I am confident that this partnership will strengthen the cleantech startup ecosystem in Maharashtra.”
Alan Gemmell, Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, said, “The UK and Maharashtra have a long-standing friendship and a shared interest in tackling climate change as seen by the recent decision of the honourable environment minister to dedicate Tillari Conservation Reserve to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy. Today's agreement is a further sign of the government of Maharashtra's leadership in this area and will lead to increased support for innovative British and Indian start-ups.”
According to the Maharashtra government, the new partnership is aimed at strengthening India and the UK Clean-Tech and Green-Tech ecosystems through expertise and knowledge while developing platforms, building cooperation and leveraging the network for collective collaborations.
