The 10-month-long Commonwealth Games baton relay is now being showcased as a business road show by the government. In a detailed plan chalked out by the 2010 organising committee (OC), in partnership with CII and Ficci, the Commonwealth Business Club India will be launched at a dinner event here on October 29, just hours after the relay commences. Key members of the OC said that besides the UK — both the chambers of commerce have landed in London with large business delegations from India — roads shows will be held in 10 other countries selected from the 70 Commonwealth regions where the relay will be held.

Following the launch, Indian business delegations will go to countries such as Cyprus, Kenya, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia on the days when the baton relay is being held there. Besides Ficci and CII, the ministries of culture and tourism are being roped in for cultural pageants followed by an interface between India and prominent local businessmen. The events will be organised from October 29 to June 12 next year, when the baton reaches India via the Wagah-Attari border. The ministries have been asked to plan the “branding” of the Delhi Games in the 10 countries, and to decide on the composition of the business delegations. Foreign delegates attending the Business Club events will also be invited to visit India during the Games.