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Halcrow plans to float subsidiary in India

Santanu Sanyal

BHUBANESWAR, Nov. 22

THE UK-based Halcrow Group Ltd, the 130-year-old business group engaged in the development of infrastructure projects all over the world, proposes to float a wholly-owned subsidiary in India to step up operations.

Although the Halcrow Group has been present in India for the past 20 years, its participation in projects has been mainly through local firms. Consulting Engineering Services is one such firm.

In February this year, the Group opened its first office in India in New Delhi. ``Encouraged by the business prospects in this country, Halcrow Group intends to upgrade the present outfit into a full-fledged subsidiary'', according to Mr Lionel Sainsbury , Regional Director, India, Halcrow Group.

Right now, the Halcrow Group's turnover in India was about 2,00,000 pound which Mr Sainsbury hoped would increase substantially in the next few years. The proposed Indian subsidiary would also help the Group to go for more competitive bidding.

In India, according to him, the focus would be on highway projects. ``We are already involved in a few highway projects in the western region''. The group was also considering extension of its operations to the eastern region, mainly in West Bengal and O rissa.

Mr Sainsbury was here to participate in Best of Britain: Focus Orissa, the programme organised jointly by the British Deputy High Commission in Calcutta with the British Council and the UK's Department for International Development.