by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Kent firms have been urged to overlook the Commonwealth Games
debacle in India and do business with "a Pandora's Box" of
opportunities.

At a VIP ceremony at The Fruars, Aylesford, to mark the opening
of a Kent chapter of the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Institute,
guests were told that the sub-continent's economy had grown by 11.6
per cent in the first three months of the year.

Udai Patel, NRI Institute chairman, said that despite concerns
over sub-standard workmanship and labour laws, efforts by central
and state government to improve the situation demonstrated "the
hidden determination that India is capable of if it has a mind
to".

He had this message for Kent and other UK firms: "I say to those
of you who are looking at the possibility of investing in India, or
trading with India, do so with your eyes open."

They should recognize there would be difficulties to overcome
and would need courage and conviction to succeed.

He had this message for Kent and other UK firms: "I say to those
of you who are looking at the possibility of investing in India, or
trading with India, do so with your eyes open."

They should recognize there would be difficulties to overcome
and would need courage and conviction to succeed.

But the rewards could be huge.

"You will encounter frustrations and you will despair - I speak
from past experience. However, if you get the formula correct from
the beginning, India is a Pandora's Box of opportunities."

Guest of honour Baroness Verma, a member of the Coalition
Government, hailed the launch of the Kent chapter and said: "This
is a wonderful setting for us to celebrate a really fine
achievement."

Leadership awards were presented to Cllr Alan Marsh of Kent
County Council, Roger House, chairman of the Federation of Small
Businesses Kent and Medway, Blair Gulland, of Gullands Solicitors.
Maidstone (Patron of the NRI Institute Kent Chapter), and
businessman Ragbhir Sandhu, of Mobile Bar Hire, Darford.