USIBC Supports Colorado-India Trade
U.S.-India Trade and Investment: Opportunities and Best Practices
2019 SIDO Best Practices and Training Forum @ Wells Fargo Center
On July 30, the U.S.-India Business Council team was in Denver, Colorado for a series of business focused engagements. We kicked off the morning with an invitation-only breakfast at the SIDO Best Practices and Training Forum, headlined by Ambassador of India to the United States Harsh Shringla, USIBC President Nisha Biswal, and Wipro VP of Government and Public Affairs Kapil Sharma. The breakfast, moderated by SIDO President and MD of the Maryland Office of International Investment and Trade, drew representatives from 45 U.S. state development offices for a discussion on strengthening trade and investment with India.
Discussion focused on three key points:
- How states are impacted by U.S.-India trade ties and what role they can play to advance them;
- What global Indian companies look for when making investment decisions focused on specific states; and
- How U.S. state trade offices can assist businesses to engage India as a viable growth opportunity.
Ambassador Shringla encouraged U.S. companies considering investments in India to participate in delegation trips or establish a permanent presence in India to get an on-the-ground perspective and develop a network of local partners, associations and government leaders. He noted that 14 U.S. states and counties have permanent representatives/offices across India. Participants also heard about the US.-India State Spotlight Webinar Series, a joint webinar series by the U.S. and Indian governments designed to teach companies more about the investment environment.
Colorado-India Business Roundtable
Amazon Denver
USIBC partnered with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade to host the first Colorado-India Business Roundtable. The event featured remarks by Governor of Colorado Jared Polis and Indian Ambassador to the United States Harsh Shringla. Participants at event, hosted by Amazon at the company’s offices in Denver, included Dr. Anupam Ray, Consul General of India in Houston, senior officials from of the Houston Consulate and Indian Embassy, and over 40 senior business leaders from U.S. and Indian companies. Discussion touched on sectors like cybersecurity, energy, aerospace and defense, mobile accessories, and financial services, and as well as how Colorado companies can access business development opportunities in India.
Highlights
- Governor Jared Polis officially announced plans to lead a delegation of Colorado companies and partners to Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi in early November 2019. Governor Polis will also deliver a keynote address at the 3rd Global RE-Invest Renewable Energy Investors’ Meet and Expo on November 2. His engagements in India will center on Renewable Energy and Electric Mobility.
- Ambassador Shringla noted the changing landscape of India’s economy and the benefits that a young and educated workforce offers for businesses. He also noted the importance of connecting small and medium size companies in India and Colorado to provide opportunities for growth, and highlighted the contributions of Indian companies in the U.S. on investment, job creation and community development.
- Recommendation: U.S. companies interested in India market opportunities should connect with Indian companies to get more information on business processes and opportunities for partnership.
For more information on the Colorado Delegation to India in November, please contact Laura Blomquist, Senior Manager, OEDIT. For more information on the U.S.-India Business Council’s city and state engagement work, please contact Sid Mehra, USIBC Head of States Engagement.
