FM leaves for three-nation tour to sell India story to investors

In a bid to sell the India story and lure overseas investments, Finance Minister of India P Chidambaram on Wednesday embarked on a three-nation tour to UK, France and Qatar.

During the 5-day tour, Chidambaram will hold a meeting with his UK counterpart George Osborne and address investor conferences. He will also hold meetings with leading UK investors.

Leading a delegation, Chidambaram will participate in the Sixth Ministerial India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) on Thursday, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

He will also have discussions on current financial sector reforms by UK and India's regulatory
bodies, it added.

Chidambaram and Osborne are also likely to hold discussions on G-20 Clearing Committee on OTC derivatives, priority sector lending, Bangalore-Mumbai economic corridor and visa issues.

During the second lap of his foreign visit, Chidambaram would reach Paris on 17 May, 2013. He is scheduled to hold a meeting with leading investors and have discussions with OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria during his one day stay in Paris. Thereafter, Chidambaram will arrive in Doha, Qatar on 18 May, 2013 where he will hold discussions with the Minister of Economic and Finance Yousef Hussan Kamal.

Chidambaram will also meet the CEOs of Qatar Investment Authority and Qatari Business Association among others.