On Saturday 6th February, the UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, met with her counterpart the Minister for Commerce and Industry of India, Shri Piyush Goyal, to discuss the UK-India trade and investment relationship. Both Ministers reiterated their commitment to UK-India economic and trade relations through the Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP). The ETP is the first step towards a comprehensive free trade agreement between the UK and India.
Included in this announcement was a confirmation that Wockhardt, an Indian pharmaceutical company, would increase investment into their Wrexham base. This will lead to the creation of forty new jobs at the site. Wockhardt already employs over 400 people and has had a base in Wrexham for over two decades.
The announcement also included confirmation of an extension to Wockhardt’s contract with the UK Government for the ‘fill and finish’ of the COVID-19 vaccine. This six-month extension will take Wockhardt’s contract to August 2022.
Other announcements included a deal signed between Tata Consultancy Services, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, which will bring 1,500 jobs to sites across the UK.
Commenting, Sarah Atherton MP said:
“This announcement is brilliant news for Wockhardt, Wrexham and North Wales; it is a testament to the hard work of all at Wockhardt over the past months. Having worked closely with Wockhardt throughout the pandemic, I am well-aware of their vital position in the UK’s vaccine manufacturing process and I welcome that this role will continue.
“Moreover, I am pleased with the UK Government’s continued commitment to Wrexham and that this announcement will guarantee the UK’s supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine for the long term.
“With the roadmap to a wider UK-India Free Trade Agreement due to be laid out, I also believe this announcement bodes well for wider economic, trade and cultural relations between Wrexham and India going forward.”
Furthermore, speaking about the contract extension Ravi Limaye, Managing Director of Wockhardt UK, said:
“This contract extension from the government truly demonstrates the critical role we are playing in the Nation’s fight against Covid-19. Everyone feels so proud of the work we are doing each and every day. It also represents good news for UK manufacturing as well as having a positive impact on our local community here in Wrexham.”
Stay updated with my work in Wrexham and Westminster and sign up to my monthly newsletter: