Mumbai attacks "will not deter British business"

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - The wave of attacks on India's financial capital Mumbai has knocked confidence among British investors but businesses will not be deterred long-term, the head of the body promoting bilateral trade said on Thursday.

Sharon Bamford, chief executive of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), said the attacks are a "wake-up call" for the Indian government on security issues but added they will not jeopardise the multi-billion pound trade ties between the UK and India.

More than 100 people have been killed, including one Briton, in Wednesday's attacks by gunmen across the city, with suspected Islamist militants apparently targeting Britons and Americans.

Media reports have featured dramatic eyewitness accounts form British business people trapped by gunfire in plush hotels.

"It's a shock for all of us, a shock to the world, but we believe in India and we believe India is and can be capable of bouncing back very, very quickly," Bamford told Reuters.

She said the UKIBC had taken soundings from senior business people in both Britain and India which revealed that confidence had been dented.

"For most businesses, it is devastating, it is a deliberate attack to destabilise a fast-growing economy, but I think the focus is back to business as soon as possible," she said.

She cited the case of one British businesswoman, a member of UKIBC, who was caught up in the events at the Taj hotel and had to shelter under a restaurant table for 6-1/2 hours.