'If you can help, make your voice heard' - CBI President on India crisis

Lord Bilimoria, CBI President, founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer, has issued a statement on the need for the support of the business community to assist in the growing Covid-19 crisis within India.

In his statement Lord Bilimoria, says:

Business stands in solidarity with India in light of the devastating health crisis which is unfolding.

At this crucial moment we are urging UK firms to donate critical resources and supplies where they can. This includes: ventilators and breathing apparatus, lateral flow tests, empty refillable oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres LMO capacity, ISO containers to facilitate transport of liquid oxygen to deficient areas, oxygen concentrators, in situ oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals, oxygen generator plants, bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) machines, PPE, warehousing, transport & logistics. There is also an urgent need for Remidisvir and Favipiravir to help treat those with the virus.

The UK and India share a close bond based on our enduring ties and ongoing close cooperation. The global challenge of the pandemic must be tackled on a united front. If we are not able collectively to control the spread of the virus it will remain a huge risk for lives and economies around the world. The B7 Summit hosted by the CBI on 11th and 12th May will be a crucial moment to show solidarity and strong support to our Indian friends in a moment of need and ensure a resilient global recovery from this devastating pandemic.

Since 26 April, the CBI has been rallying UK businesses to support Indian companies. I’m delighted to say that businesses including BOC Ltd, Gilead Sciences, Peak Scientific, Air Liquide, Penlon (are exploring various options to support this), PG Paper Company LTD , DHL, CEVA Logistics part of the CMA CGM Group, Wincanton, Heathrow Airport, Mott MacDonald, Accenture, KPMG, and trade associations including Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) are stepping up to the plate and supporting, just as they have done here in the UK throughout the crisis. Our goal is to help others do the same and ensure the overall response is amplified, relevant and focused in a way that helps India.  For instance in addition we have be working with the MOD and the NHS regarding the possibility of setting up nightingale / field hospitals at speed in India. We are also working with the British Asian Trust to help raise funds for 200,000 oxygen concentrators to be distributed throughout India.

We are working very closely with the Indian High Commissioner, Gaitri Issar Kumar, and her team in London and the British High Commissioner, Alex Ellis, and his team in Delhi. Our CBI office in Delhi is involved throughout and we are in constant touch with the CII our sister organisation in India.

I say to any business out there - If your business can help, make your voice heard.

For further enquiries, please contact peter.werner@cbi.org.uk

BusinessEurope issued a statement on the issue at hand earlier today:

Health and humanitarian crisis in India

Europe and India have strong historic and economic ties and a tradition of close cooperation and mutual support that dates back many centuries. The European business community is extremely concerned by the recent COVID-19 developments in India and the extremely challenging health and humanitarian situation the country and its citizens are confronted with.

BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz said:

“The health and humanitarian crisis that India is experiencing due to the exponential increase in COVID-19 infections is of great concern to us. This pandemic is a global challenge that needs global answers. If we are not able collectively to control the spread of the virus it will remain a huge risk for lives and economies around the world. As European business we stand behind all efforts, including those of our Governments, in supporting India and its citizens to fight the pandemic and improve the health situation in the country. The companies we represent are ready to contribute to this effort making available supplies that India needs to overcome this difficult and challenging situation. The EU-India Summit on 8th May and the B7 Summit hosted by the CBI on 11th and 12th May will be crucial moments to show solidarity and strong support to our Indian friends in a moment of need”.