FM Sitharaman's UK, Austria visit to strengthen economic ties, improve collaboration: Ministry of Finance | Mint

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins an official six-day visit to the United Kingdom and Austria on Tuesday with the aim of strengthening economic ties, increasing the cooperation of the financial sector and attracting more foreign investment, Finance Ministry said on Monday. During the visit, which runs until April 13, the finance minister will be the 13th economic and financial dialogue in India and UK in London with her counterpart, Chancellor of Treasury Rachel Reeves, on April 9. The dialogue – a major ministerial forum between the two countries – will focus on strengthening financial services, investment flow, regulatory frameworks and digital payments infrastructure, including the interoperability of UPI (Unified Payments Interface). “The most important priorities of the 13th EFD dialogue for the Indian side include in conjunction in the IFSC gift city, investment, insurance and pension sectors, Fintech and digital economy, and the mobilization of affordable and sustainable climate financing,” the ministry said. “On the sidelines of India-Ik 13th EFD, Finance Minister, Finance Minister, will participate with bilateral meetings with important dignitaries and participate in investor round tables and other meetings with major financial institutions and businesses,” he added. In addition to the EFD, Sitharaman will address a Roundtable in London in India-OK, where she is expected to offer India’s investment climate for an event of general managers of UK pension funds, insurance companies, banks and other financial institutions. The Roundtable is presented with the British Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, in partnership with the City of London. The two parties also intend to launch joint reports and reveal new initiatives aimed at promoting long-term cooperation in capital markets and Green Finance. In Austria, Sitharaman is scheduled to meet with several top Austrian leaders, including Christian Stocker, who recently took over as Chancellor, and his finance minister Markus Marterbauer. A special business session is co-chair of the Minister of Economics, Energy and Tourism in Austria, Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, and will face investment opportunities in the growing infrastructure, manufacturing and renewable energy sector in India.