UK 'points' system may hurt software trade, India minister warns
LONDON (AFP) — A new points-based immigration system in Britain may make it harder for developing countries to export software systems to the country, India's trade minister said in an interview published Monday.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Kamal Nath added that new restrictions on migration were not in keeping with Britain's claims to be behind free international trade in services.
"We are not asking for more permanent immigration," he told the business daily, noting that India was still studying the new system.
"We are talking about people coming in for a month or so to integrate software systems."
Nath, who said that the change to the new system ran the risk of becoming a "retrograde step", added that the restrictions may prevent Indian software companies from servicing existing warranties, or selling new systems that required on-site maintenance in future.
"In the liberalisation of services, the temporary movement of people is an important thing," he said.
Britain's new immigration system awards points to prospective migrants based on a variety of factors, but only affects non-EU citizens who wish to emigrate to the country.
