New normal will be very different, says Baroness Usha
The Indian Government, along with the High Commission in London, is working with businesses to respond to the deadly and disruptive COVID-19.
Giving this assurance, High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanashyam told a London roundtable, “The Government of India and the High Commission of India are constantly working with businesses and business organisations with regard to the Government’s response to COVID19.”
She also expressed her gratitude to the UK Government for extending the visas for all those Indians who are currently unable to return home due to travel restrictions in place in the wake of COVID-19.
A senior representative of the High Commission briefed the participants about the issues around visa extension and some of the challenges faced by those stranded in the UK and the measures taken by the High Commission to assist in addressing these.
The roundtable was aimed at giving a comprehensive overview of various stimulus measures announced by the UK government. It also took stock of the issues and challenges being faced by the businesses.
The virtual roundtable was attended by over 40 Indian business representatives across sectors like Financial Services, Hospitality, Healthcare, IT & IT Services, Trading, and business services.
Among the speakers at the roundtable was Baroness Usha Prashar, Chairman, FICCI UK Council who said of the coronavirus impact, “There is going to be a prolonged period of uncertainty and disruption and ‘new normal’ will be very different.
“While response to immediate issue is crucial so is thinking about the future adjustments that businesses will have to make. Planning for the future, particularly in areas such as increasing role of technology, people skills and well-being are some of the key areas.
“FICCI will continue to support its members in whatever way possible and draw the issues raised at this roundtable to the attention of relevant UK Government Departments,” she said in a release on 16 Apr 2020.
Elaborating further, Lord Karan Bilimoria stressed on the requirement of a public-private partnership for devising a scheme for tech companies and Start-ups to help them navigate the pandemic.
“Businesses are facing unprecedented challenges, but if we can line up the capacities of hospitals, testing, drug trials and, in due course, develop a vaccine, once the rate of COVID-19 infections, hospital admissions and deaths are on a consistent and confirmed downward direction, we can start to open up the economy in a phased manner”, he said.
Among other speakers, Lord Jitesh Gadhia highlighted the various stimulus packages announced by the UK Government.
He elaborated on key measures like Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL), furlough scheme, support for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) as well as provisions for rent relief, etc.
He stressed that going forward the businesses will have to prepare for a reopening strategy that would be graduated, phased, and respaced. fiinews.com
