Washington, DC – India’s top diplomat in the United States at a recent corporate event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry-India Business Forum (CII-IBF), highlighted the important role played by the Indian companies operating in the US, especially at the local level.
Addressing a select audience of a number of US State Governors and key economic and political officials at the corporate reception which coincided with the National Governors’ Association winter meeting, Nirupama Rao, Ambassador of India to the United States, said, “Indian companies operating in the US are adding tremendous value to the local economies in which they operate, the most tangible effects of which are felt at the state and county level.
“Engagement at the state level is very much on the bilateral economic agenda of both governments and efforts like the CII event go a long way in strengthening these linkages,” she continued, stressing, “Job creation and investments by Indian companies are a very real component of the US-India trade and commercial relationship.”
Outlining the continuing transformation in Indo-US ties, including business links, Ambassador Rao noted, “Bilateral trade of $100 billion, two way investment flows, growing technology and business partnerships, and a rich cooperative agenda in a range of economic areas populate the growing specifics of our commercial relationship.”
“Indian businesses have increased their investments in the US in recent years, a key factor in my decision to lead a trade mission to India earlier this month,” said Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware and chairman of the National Governors’ Association.
Democratic Governor Markell, who only days ago returned from a trip to India, said, “As the fastest-growing market for US exports, India provides significant opportunities to increase US job growth. As governors, we have a unique opportunity to build strong partnerships between our countries that can bring economic opportunity to the US workforce.”
Governors from both major political parties acknowledged the value Indian companies bring to their respective states.
Republican Governor Terry Branstad of Iowa stated, “I was pleased to join the Confederation of Indian Industry at their reception surrounding the National Governors’ Association meeting.”
Branstad, the longest-serving governor in Iowa’s history, added, “The trading and investment relationships between Iowa and India are robust and growing in importance. This event provided an opportunity to discuss the attractiveness of Iowa as a place to do business and build upon relationships that are key in the global economy.”
Jan Brewer (R), Governor of Arizona, Mike Beebe (D), Governor of Arkansas, Dannel Malloy (D), Governor of Connecticut, Patrick McCrory (R), Governor of North Carolina, Margaret Hassan (D), Governor of New Hampshire, Gary Herbert (R), Governor of Utah, and Matt Mead (R), Governor of Wyoming, also participated in the program.
According to the organizers, the purpose of the reception, themed “Indian Roots, American Soil: Supporting State Economies,” was to highlight the contributions of Indian companies across the United States.
Commenting on the event, Sandhya Satwadi, the director and head of CII North America, explained, “This is the first time that the CII-India Business Forum is directly engaging with Governors and key economic development offices from the states. By enhancing state-level interactions, we can truly have an impact in encouraging greater investments in states as well as facilitating better business climates and incentives for our companies. We hope to see more two-way traffic in state-level delegations in the coming years!”
The event also saw participation from US government officials, corporate members, academics and think tanks. The Indian companies represented at the reception are located across 40 states in the US and Washington, DC.