CII Communique - October, 2010

india & the worldCII SME Delegation visits USACII Business Delegation with Greg Ballard, Mayor of Indianapolis, USAA CII BUSINESS and Trade delegationcomprising of Small and MediumEnterprises (SMEs) visited the UnitedStates from 20-24 September to exploretrade and business opportunitiesin the states of Illinois (Chicago),Washington DC, Indiana (Indianapolis)and Ohio (Cincinnati). During theirfive day visit, the delegation met withUS Government officials includingSenator Richard Lugar, Senate ForeignRelations Committee; Under SecretaryFrancisco Sanchez, US Department ofCommerce; Mr Greg Ballard, Mayor ofIndianapolis; Mr Todd Rokita, IndianaSecretary of State, and representativesfrom the US Commercial Service,as well as the Ohio Department ofCommerce.The CII delegation was organized as part of the ‘Indo-USSME Forum’ initiative, launched by CII and the US IndiaBusiness Council, keeping in tune with the agenda ofPrime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Obamato focus on SMEs. The five fold objective was to:Increase bilateral trade and investment with particularemphasis on SMEs, between India and USA.The CII delegation wasorganised as part of the‘Indo-US SME Forum’initiative, launched byCII and the US IndiaBusiness Council, intune with the agendaof Prime MinisterManmohan Singh andPresident Obama tofocus on SMEsSMEs, in the businesses they representvis-à-vis the scenario in USA business alliances with counterpartSMEs/ OEMs/ aftermarket suppliersin both and/or third countries links between India and USAFacilitate learning about Capacitybuilding and Innovation among theSMEs, in the US.SMEs form the backbone of both theIndian and the US economy. Theircontribution to overall economicgrowth has been increasing rapidly.Creating a facilitative business andpolicy environment remains crucial tostrengthening economic recovery, stimulating growth andcreating jobs in both countries, said Mr Hari Bhartia,President, CII, at the inaugural meeting of the US IndiaSME Forum, in Washington DC on 21 September.He outlined infrastructure, low cost manufacturing,agriculture, social services including education andhealth, as priority sectors for US industry to tap into,while exploring commercial opportunities in India.6 | October 2010 Communiqué