A delegation of Indian beer industry professionals were welcomed to York to meet key people in the brewing industry as part of a trip organised by the Department of International Trade (DIT), with the aim of driving sales of Yorkshire ales in India.

Having visited London, the business leaders were invited by Make it York for a two day trip North to try some of the region’s local beers. In 2016, the Yorkshire and Humber region exported £7.5m of beverages to India and it is hoped that the visit will build on trade ties and open up new export opportunities.

The delegation visited the Great York Brewery, Yorkshire Brewery, Rudgate Brewery, Brew York, and Saltaire Brewery and Wold Top Brewery.

Business Services manager for Make It York, Charles Storr, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with the DIT to bring this key delegation from India to try some of the best Yorkshire beers being brewed right here on our doorstep. The hope is that this visit will lead to in new export orders and build a brilliant new business relationship between India and Yorkshire.”

Mark Robson, Yorkshire director for DIT, said: “The visit was a great success, and our guests were extremely impressed by our local brewers.

“In the UK we have a great tradition of producing high-quality beers which are the envy of the world. These type of inward missions are vital for creating and exploring new trading relationships. At the current time of dynamic change, it is even more important that we seek out new opportunities – and there’s no doubt that there are plenty of opportunities overseas.”