Indian firms say ‘Hello’ to Manchester
Two India-based companies have set up offices using a scheme which offers new overseas investors to the region free desk space for the first 12 months of relocation.
Business process outsourcing company Mangalam Information Technologies has based its UK office in Piccadilly Place, Manchester city centre, and plans to employ around 30 people over the next three years.
Elsewhere, aerospace company Genser, which specialises in engineering services and consulting, has set up its European headquarters at Bruntwood's 1 Portland Street in Manchester.
Both companies are using the Hello Northwest scheme that offers free desk space for the first year of relocation to give them the opportunity to test out ideas before making an investment.
Launched this year, the scheme was developed through a partnership between the North West Development Agency, investment and development agencies for the Liverpool city region and Manchester, The Mersey Partnership and Midas, and serviced office providers.
In November, India-based Nevaeh Technology was the latest tenant to sign up to Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus in Cheshire using the scheme.
Mark Hughes, acting chief executive of the NWDA, said: "Our 'Hello' scheme continues to attract investors to the region and we are delighted with its early success. The latest company to take up the 'Hello' offer will allow businesses to operate at a much lower operational cost. In the current fragile market this could be enough to help some business survive and return to strong growth in the years ahead."
Since the launch of the Hello Northwest scheme, the NWDA said 18 overseas companies have taken advantage of the offer of free serviced office accommodation as a way of exploring the UK's markets.
The other serviced office providers involved in the scheme includes Avanta, Orega, Manchester Science Parks, and Liverpool Science Park.