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Even as Indian immigrants to Britain are battling recent changes in Britain's immigration laws that adversely affect them, the British government has announced that it plans to launch an international marketing campaign to promote the country as a ‘migration destination'!
The new campaign is aimed at attracting businesses and migrants with skills that are considered ‘right' for Britain's economy. The plan also aims to encourage links between the economically prosperous Indian community in Britain and India's growing economy.
Releasing the strategy paper titled ‘Managing Global Migration: A Strategy to Build Stronger International Alliances to Manage Migration', Home Office Minister Liam Bryne said: “We want borders that are open to those who bring skills, talent, business and creativity that boost our economy, yet closed to those who might cause us harm or seek to enter illegally.”
The paper states: ‘Migrant communities also help connect us to the global economy. They play a role in increasing the UK's trade with countries of origin and this will be increasingly important as other major new economic markets mature in China, India and Brazil in particular.'
To further build links with growth markets, the paper said the government would:
- Encourage entrepreneurs and trade-related businesses to come to the UK from overseas through Tier 1 (highly skilled migrants) of the Points-Based System (expected to be introduced in early 2008).
- Improve the investment climate in the UK for overseas businesses, including through improving processes and reducing the time required to bring goods to and from non-EU countries.
- Support increased access of diaspora communities to financial services, taking account of innovation.
- Support cultural and work exchanges between the UK and non-EU countries.
Reacting to the new plans, Amit Kapadia, coordinator of the campaign against the changes, said: “The immigration minister is further trying to lure skilled migrants internationally rather than resolving burning issues like the unfair retrospective changes implemented in November 2006 on the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme-holders (majority from India) who have made major investments in the UK just to be left in the lurch.”
The changes are currently the subject of protests and judicial review petitions in Britain.
According to official figures, 91,000 migrants of non-British origin cited India as their last place of residence. The figure for Poland is 66,000, China, 48,000 and Pakistan, 36,000.
September 4, 2007
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