FICCI activities with USA: 2007

Interactive Meeting with Ambassador Teresita C. Schaffer, Director for South Asia, Center for Strategic and International Studies, USA
January 10, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI organized a special talk on "The New Phase in Indo-US Relations" by Ambassador Teresita C Shaffer, Director for South Asia, Center for Strategic and International Studies USA on January 10, 2007 in New Delhi. The objective of the meeting was to review the recent developments in Indo-US economic relations.

FICCI organised an interactive meeting with the visiting business delegation from American Chamber of Commerce, Singapore. The delegation was led by Mrs Patricia Herbold, US Ambassador to Singapore and Mr. Douglas Miller, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Boeing International Corporation, & Chairman, AMCHAM, Singapore. The delegation comprised of members representing large multinationals like Boeing, Cargill, United Parcel Services, United Technologies and Honeywell Pte Ltd., as also SMEs, manufacturers of engineered products and materials for the chemical, industrial, energy, transportation and infrastructure markets. The meeting was chaired by Mr.Nanik Rupani, Co-Chairman, FICCI-Western Regional Council.

The objective of the mission was to explore all avenues for identifying, focusing and accelerating potential areas of businesses through a continuous dialogue.

U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) Executive Mission to Aero India Show 2007
February 4-11, 2007

The seventh U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) Executive Defense Mission to India was led by Mr William S. Cohen, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Chairman and CEO, The Cohen Group and Ambassador Thomas Pickering, Former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs & Ambassador to the United Nations. The delegation included executives from all the major U.S. Aerospace and Defense companies like Lockheed & Martin Global, Boeing, GE Aviation, Bell Helicopter Textron, Honeywell International, United Technologies Corporation, and Raytheon.

The objective of the Mission was to consolidate the momentum of the U.S.-India strategic partnership and enhance defense cooperation in Aerospace between the U.S. and India.

Apart from participation at Aero India, FICCI organized a Presentation by Mr Shilabhadra Banerjee, Director General (Acquisition) - "DPP 2006 & MAKE Procedure" on February 5, 2007 at Federation House in New Delhi. Besides, Major General H S Sehgal, AVSM, Technical Manager (Land Systems Acquisition), Ministry of Defence and AVM S Mukherjee, Technical Manager (Air), Ministry of Defence among others attended the meeting.

FICCI and USIBC jointly organized an interactive evening reception and dinner with the Mission on February 5, 2007, at The Oberoi Hotel. Dr. Sanjaya Baru, Media Advisor to Prime Minister, and Dr Surjit Bhalla, Managing Director, Oxus Research & Investments, addressed the mission participants on the evolving Indian economic scenario and the opportunities this is creating for the manufacturing sector.

FICCI also organised the USIBC Executive Defence Mission meetings with Mr. A K Antony, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri, Mr. K P Singh, Secretary (Defence Production), Mr. Shekhar Dutt, Defence Secretary and Mr. M Natarajan, Secretary (R&D) & SA to RM, Ministry of Defence during the Aero Show at Bangalore. Hon'ble Raksha Mantri promised full support to the US counterparts with the current policy in place. He also emphasized on the huge opportunities that exist for both sides in this strategic area for a sustained long-term partnership.

Luncheon Meeting with US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez
February 13, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI, in association with the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), hosted a luncheon meeting in honour of the US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez on February 13, 2007 at Federation House, New Delhi.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss Indo-US economic and commercial relations, potential areas for enhanced bilateral collaboration, as also policy changes that may be needed to take Indo-US Commercial trade ties to the next level.

Mr Habil Khorakiwala, President, FICCI, US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and Mr Kamal Nath, Hon'ble Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, addressed the participants on their vision on Indo-US commercial relations in the years ahead.

The fifth meeting of the High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) was held on Feb 22 in Washington DC. While the US side was led by Deputy Secretary David A Sampson, US Department of Commerce, the Indian delegation will be led by Foreign Secretary Mr Shiv Shankar Menon. The focus of the discussions at the meeting was on promoting Indo-US high tech cooperation, especially in the areas of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (including Pharmaceuticals), Defense Trade, and Information Technology. FICCI has been actively associated with the Governments of India and the US since the inception of the HTCG. For this meeting, FICCI had organised an industry delegation including senior representatives from Biotech, Pharma, Defense and IT sectors.

Special Lunch Meeting with Mr. Paul Reilly, Global Chairman & CEO, Korn / Ferry International
February 23, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI, Korn/Ferry International and AMCHAM India jointly organized a Luncheon meeting with Mr. Paul Reilly, Global Chairman & CEO Korn/Ferry International on February 23, 2007 in New Delhi.

Mr. Paul Reilly addressed the Indian industry on "Globalisation & Leadership: Redefining the Talent Imperative to Deliver on India's Promise".

Luncheon Meeting with Dr Kim Holmes, Vice President, Heritage Foundation
February 26, 2007 - New Delhi

An interactive meeting was organised with Dr Kim Holmes, Vice President of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, Heritage Foundation on February 26, 2007 in New Delhi. Dr Holmes is one of Washington's foremost policy experts and addressed the participants on his perception of the Indo-US Relations in the years ahead. The meeting was chaired by Dr Amit Mitra, Secretary General, FICCI.

Visit of high-powered US Women Entrepreneurs Delegation to India
March 11-14, 2007 - New Delhi

The FICCI Ladies Organisation organised a four-day seminar for a 30-member hi-powered delegation of US women entrepreneurs from March 11-14, 2007 in New Delhi. The delegation laws led by Ms Daryl Rand, President, Harrison Advertising and Ms Joan Verplanck, President, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It comprised of prominent women entrepreneurs from various fields including medicine, education, research, legal, management and marketing, media and broadcasting among others.

The objective of the seminar was to provide the visiting delegation an opportunity to network with Indian women entrepreneurs and develop greater business and educational ties.

Interactive Luncheon Meeting with US Secretary of Energy Samuel W Bodman
March 20, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI organised an Industry Interactive Meeting with US Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman on March 20, 2007 in New Delhi.

The main objective of this interaction was to discuss Indo-US economic and commercial relations in the energy sector, potential areas for enhanced bilateral collaboration, as also policy changes that may be needed to take Indo-US Energy Dialogue to the next level.

Mr. Samuel W Bodman in his Address pointed out that a common challenge faced by both India and US was to provide clean, reliable and safe energy to citizens of both nations. Energy security was inextricably linked to the national interest of not only India and US but for all nations of the world. India and the United States would be strong partners in a global effort to increase the world's energy security.

The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament, senior representatives from the Government and Indian industry.

Luncheon Meeting with Business Delegation from Illinois
March 22, 2007 - New Delhi
March 26, 2007 - Mumbai

FICCI organised an Interactive Session with the business delegation from Illinois, USA led by Mr Jack Lavin, Director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, State of Illinois on March 22, 2007 in New Delhi and on March 26,2007 in Mumbai. While the New Delhi meeting was chaired by Dr M K Bhan, Secretary, Department of Bio-Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, the interaction in Mumbai was chaired by Mr Hemant Sonawala, Chairman, Hinditron Group of Companies.

The objective of the meetings was to discuss trade and investment opportunities between Illinois and India.

At the New Delhi meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between FICCI and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to promote bilateral trade and investments.

During the visit, H E Dr David Mulford, Ambassador of USA and Mr Jack Lavin, Director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, State of Illinois, inaugurated the 10th international office of the State of Illinois at Federation House, New Delhi.

During the discussions, the two sides felt that there was tremendous scope for enlarging cooperation in areas such as logistics, food processing, clean energy, manufacturing etc.

One-to-one business meetings followed the interactive luncheon meetings.

Interactive Meetings with delegation from the State of Detroit, USA
March 23, 2007 - Mumbai
March 28, 2007 - Bangalore
March 29, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI organized interactive meetings with the visiting business delegation from Detroit, led by Mr Richard Blouse, President of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce on March 23, 2007 in Mumbai, on March 28, 2007 in Bangalore and on March 29, 2007 in New Delhi.

The objective of the meeting was to help the visiting delegation interact with the Indian companies to establish business connections.

Presentations by the visiting delegation were followed by their one-to-one interactions with the Indian businessmen.

Meeting with Representatives from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and US Department of Commerce
March 26, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI organised a meeting with Mr Steven Bipes of American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Mr Ajit Jilla of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Mr Erol Yesin of India and Sri Lanka Desk, Office of South Asia and Oceania, US Department of Commerce on March 26, 2007 in New Delhi. The objective of the meeting was to discuss issues related to Standards, conformity assessment and associated technical regulations and to explore options for topics for discussion at the US India Commercial Dialogue. The meeting was attended by representatives from Export Inspection Council of India, Directorate of Marketing and Inspection in the Ministry of Agriculture, Bureau of Indian Standards and Quality Council of India. The Indian side suggested that US should create a mechanism for pre delivery inspection of goods from India instead of their getting rejected at the port of entry.

Meeting with delegation from National Foreign Trade Council, USA
March 27, 2007 - New Delhi

A meeting was organized with a delegation from National Foreign Trade Council, USA, consisting of senior representatives from leading corporations like Johnson & Johnson, EDS, GE, DOW Chemicals, Baxter, Kodak etc. The objective of the meeting was to discuss various channels for a successful outcome of Doha Round of Trade negotiations.

Interactive Luncheon Meeting with US Under Secretary Karen P. Hughes & US Universities- The United States & India: Partners in Education
March 29, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI organized an Interactive luncheon meeting with Delegation of US Universities led by US Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Karen P Hughes on March 29, 2007 in New Delhi.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the role of public-private partnerships in higher education and explore potential areas for bilateral collaboration between Indian industries/universities and US universities.

During the discussions, it was felt that this dialogue would create a new partnership between the Federal Government of United States and the Higher Education Sector in India, a partnership that was rooted in the quest for greater knowledge and greater opportunities for young people.

The visiting Universities included Johnson and Wales University, University of Washington, Baylor University, North Carolina State University, Kalamazoo College, Oakton Community College.

Interactive Meeting with Ambassador Karan Bhatia, Deputy US Trade Representative and Ambassador Douglas Hartwick, Assistant USTR
April, 12, 2007- New Delhi

An interactive meeting was organised with Ambassador Karan Bhatia, Deputy US Trade Representative and Ambassador Douglas Hartwick, Assistant USTR on April, 12, 2007 in New Delhi.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss bilateral trade issues especially focusing on policy matters. The meeting was attended by representatives from Export Inspection Council of India, Export Promotion Councils and Indian businesses.

During the meeting, Ambassador Bhatia also briefed the participants on the current status of the discussions within the U.S. - India Trade Policy Forum.

Seminar on 'Challenges and Opportunities of Globalization in India'
April 13, 2007 - Washington DC, USA

FICCI and Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars jointly organized a seminar 'Challenges and Opportunities of Globalization in India' on April 13, 2007 at Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington DC, USA. The objective of the Seminar was to discuss how with the passing of the Nuclear Bill by the US Legislature, the U.S-India strategic relationship could be taken to the next level.

Mr Bharat Wakhlu, President, Tata Inc. who addressed the Seminar on behalf of FICCI presented the Indian perspective on 'Challenges and Opportunities of Globalization in India'. Under Secretary Franklin Lavin, US Department of Commerce in his remarks pointed out, "As India internationalizes, having an anchor relationship with the U.S. will prove to be critical in accelerating the benefits of reform. Such a relationship will provide access to markets, technology and to the friendship that can accelerate reform and mitigate the challenges that can arise when change is underway". The other panelists at the Seminar included Mr Shanta Devarajan, Chief Economist of the South Asia Region of the World Bank and Mr Devesh Kapur, Director, Center for Advanced Study of India, University of Pennsylvania.

Interactive meeting & Reception with the Clean Energy Technologies Mission led by US Assistant Secretary Mr David Bohigian
April 19, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI organised an Interactive Meeting with the Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission, led by US Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Mr David Bohigian on April 19, 2007 in New Delhi. This was followed by a Press Conference with Mr Bohigian and one-on-one business meetings.

The main objective of this meeting was to give an opportunity to US companies to interact with Indian companies and explore opportunities for trade in the clean technology goods and services sector between the two countries.

Interactive Meeting with Delegation from State of Virginia, USA
April 23, 2007 - New Delhi
April 24, 2007 - Chennai

FICCI organised an Interactive Meeting with a high-powered delegation from the State of Virginia, USA on April 23, 2007 in New Delhi. The delegation was led by Mr Patrick O Gottschalk, Secretary of Commerce and Trade and Mr Aneesh Chopra, Secretary of Technology, Commonwealth of Virginia. The main objective of the meeting was to explore possibilities of furthering Indo-US economic ties, especially with Virginia. On this occasion, a MOU was signed between FICCI and Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) to further develop friendly ties and strengthen cooperation and to take all possible steps to promote trade and economic cooperation in fields such as economics, trade and industry.

A video-conference was also organised on the delegation's arrival in New Delhi which was addressed by Dr Amit Mitra, Secretary General, FICCI, Mr Patrick O Gottschalk, Secretary of Commerce and Trade and Mr Aneesh Chopra, Secretary of Technology, Commonwealth of Virginia.

FICCI organised a reception in honour of the visiting Virginian delegation in Chennai on April 24, 2007. Mr M Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, FICCI, Tamil Nadu State Council, Mr Patrick O Gottschalk, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia, Mr Aneesh Chopra, Secretary of Technology, Commonwealth of Virginia, Mr David T Hopper, Consul General, US Consulate General in Chennai, Mr Ravindra Sannareddy, CEO, Megasoft, Dr C Chandramouli, IAS, Secretary to Government, Information Technology Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Mr Shaktikanta Das, IAS, Secretary to Government, Industries Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Mr L K Tripathy, IAS, Chief Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu and Mr R Ramamurthy, Member, FICCI, Tamil Nadu State Council addressed the participants on the occasion.

'Indo-US Round Table on Investments' under the US-India Commercial Dialogue
Washington D C, USA : May 21, 2007

FICCI, in association with US Department of Commerce and US India Business Council, organized an "Indo-US Roundtable on Investments" under the US-India Commercial Dialogue on May 21, 2007 in Washington DC, USA.

The purpose of this Roundtable was to create an opportunity for Indian companies to discuss with US Government officials and industry possibilities for maximizing investments between the two countries across a broad range of economic sectors including information technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, manufacturing and services, as also discuss any investment policy concerns on the two sides.

Mr Franklin L. Lavin, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce and Mr Anil Mukim, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, co-chaired the Roundtable and addressed the participants on their perception on the subject. The Roundtable was attended by the US and Indian industry including representatives from Ranbaxy, Oracle, Xerox, etc.

'Promoting Technology-embedded Trade Cooperation-Explaining Indian and International Strategic Trade Regulations' : Workshop for the Indian Dual-Use Industry
May 22, 2007 - Mumbai

FICCI, in cooperation with the Center for International Trade & Security (CITS), University of Georgia, USA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), organised a workshop for the Indian Dual-Use Industry on "Promoting Technology-Embedded Trade Cooperation- Explaining Indian and International Strategic Trade Regulations" on May 22, 2007 in Mumbai.

The objective of the workshop was to give an opportunity to the Indian industry representatives to understand how export control regulations abroad are likely to affect their business practices and to learn export control and licensing procedures of some major trading partners, specifically the United States of America. It also aimed to increase awareness about the common compliance practices that have emerged globally and to learn about ICPs (Internal Compliance programmes).

The inaugural session at the workshop was addressed by Mr. B.S. Meena, Director General, Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Dr. Shyam Agarwal, Additional Director General, DGFT, Mr. Sushil Jiwarajka, Chairman, FICCI-Western Regional Council, Dr. Anupam Srivastava, Director, Asia Program, Center for International Trade and Security (CITS) and Mr Nick Parikh, Consular Officer, Consulate General of the United States of America, Mumbai.

The workshop had various sessions on Trade Promotion, Export Controls and ICPs, which were addressed by industry experts from the US and India including Dr. Scott Jones, CITS & DOE, Mr. Tom Ciccateri, DOE, Ms. Paula Kato, DOE, Mr. Hemant Sonawala, Chairman, Hinditron Group of Industries, Mr. Anil V. Parab, Head, Nuclear Power, Plant Equipment & Strategic Business Unit, Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Mr Rahul Chaudhry, CEO, Tata Power, Mr. M.K. Kannan, Associate Director-Business Development, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.

'US-India Relations: The Road Ahead'
May 23, 2007 - Washington DC, USA

FICCI, in collaboration with the US based The Heritage Foundation, organized a one-day Seminar on "US-India Relations - The Raod Ahead" on May 23, 2007 in Washington DC, USA.

The main objective of this seminar was to create appropriate synergies, especially on the larger aspects of Indo-US Relations going beyond the nuclear agreement. In the current phase of Indo-US relations, the participants felt it was extremely important to continuously build greater awareness of the significant opportunities that both U.S. and India have to cement a strong partnership.

The inaugural session was addressed by Amb Raminder Singh Jassal, Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy in Washington and a special keynote address was delivered by Under Secretary Nicholas Burns, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

The Panel discussions were addressed by various eminent speakers from US and India including Dr Ashley Tellis, Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Ambassador Shankar Bajpai, Former Ambassador of India to Pakistan, China, and the United States, in addition to those from the industry and other international organizations.

USIBC 32nd Anniversary Leadership Summit: Global India
June 26-27, 2007 - Washington DC

Mr Habil Khorakiwala, President, FICCI, addressed the 32nd USIBC Anniversary Leadership Summit 'Global India' on June 26, 2007 in Washington DC, USA. In this presentation, he highlighted some of the newer developments taking shape on the Indian economic and political landscape and the fact that India today sought inclusion in liberalization, globalization and modernization. He emphasized that while economic reforms will continue, India needs to focus on reforms in the social sector. He also pointed out the important role played by the Americans of Indian origin and the benefits of Indian direct investments to the US economy.

Other dignitaries who addressed the USIBC's 32nd Anniversary celebrations included U.S. Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Mr Carlos Gutierrez, U.S. Trade Representative Ms Susan Schwab, Hon'ble Indian Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Mr Kamal Nath, Mr James W McNerney Jr, Chairman & CEO, The Boeing Company and Mr Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & CEO, Reliance Industries.

Mr Khorakiwala also joined the Panel Discussion on the topic "60 Years of Independence: 16 Years of Economic Reforms - Socially Sustainable Commerce and Investment : What's the Right Formula, Right Pace?", organised on June 27, 2007. The Panel Discussion focused on issues of Intellectual Property Rights, access to public health and 'inclusive growth'.

Joint Task Force on "Shaping the Global Innovation Economy - Enhancing Cooperation in India-US Relations"
September 10-11, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI and the Los-Angeles based Pacific Council on International Policy has established a Task Force of senior business leaders on both sides drawn from various high technology sectors to look at the issues which will shape the global innovation economy and identify the cooperation between India and US. The first meeting of this Task Force was held on September 10 and 11 in New Delhi.

The next meeting of the Task Force will be organised on June 2-3, 2008 in the Silicon Valley, USA.

Meeting of the US-India Private Sector Advisory Group on Trade Policy
September 24, 2007- New York, USA

Mr Habil Khorakiwala, President, FICCI and Secretary General Dr Amit Mitra, attended the first meeting of the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum's Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) on September 24, 2007 in New York, USA. U.S. Trade Representative Ms Susan C. Schwab and Hon'ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Mr Kamal Nath met with the PSAG's members to discuss ways in which the PSAG could help to inject strategic, policy-related ideas into the Trade Policy Forum.

Ambassador Schwab and Minister Nath asked the group to examine where we want to be over the next two to five years and to provide recommendations on the incremental steps we can take to overcome obstacles and enable unfettered trade and investment.

Ambassador Schwab said that the U.S.-India economic partnership is the strongest it has ever been, and trade has played a vital role in that development. Minister Nath said that the Private Sector Advisory Group provides an opportunity on an institutional basis to identify areas of mutual interest impacting bilateral trade.

The meeting with the USTR and Hon'ble Minister was followed by a separate session among the PSAG members.

The group would hold its next meeting in USA in February 2008.

Launch of Initiative- "Investing in America: The Indian Story"
September 25, 2007 - New York, USA

Mr Kamal Nath, Hon'ble Minister for Commerce and Industry, Government of India, launched the FICCI initiative on "Investing in America: The Indian Story" on September 25, 2007 in New York, USA.

Mr Charles "Chip" Kaye, Chairman, United States-India Business Council and Mr Habil Khorakiwala, President, FICCI addressed the participants on the occasion, which was attended by over 70 representatives of Indian companies having operations in the US.

FICCI has started this initiative to project the "correct image" of India and its capabilities in the U.S. on how Indian enterprises are helping to create jobs, resurrect Chapter XI Companies and contributing to the overall U.S. economy. The initiative is being supported by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India and the U.S. India Business Council in Washington D.C. Under this initiative, Round Table discussions with Opinion Leaders and Congressmen/Senators would be organised in various States of USA, to suitably brief them of these changing dynamics and how a more matured understanding of Indo-U.S. economic relations would be beneficial to the world's two largest democracies.

FICCI Delegation to Kansas & Chicago, USA
October 2- 5, 2007

FICCI, in association with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and Kansas World Trade Center organized the "Destination India" Conference at Wichita, Kansas on October 4, 2007. The Indian delegation included Mr S M Gavai, Consul General, Consulate General of India, Houston; Mrs. Banashri Bose Harrison, Minister (Commerce), Embassy of India in Washington DC; Mr Gopal Krishna, Joint Secretary, DIPP, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Mr Arun Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr Sanjay Chakrabarti, Associate Director of Ernst & Young; Mr Gyanchander Gongireddy, Director-Marketing & Sales, SRI City SEZ; Ms Linda Droker, Director, Office of South Asia & Oceania, US Department of Commerce; Mrs Ranjana Khanna, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI and Mr Ashok Ummat, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI.

Mr Ron Thornburgh, Kansas Secretary of State, Mr Raj Goyle, State Representative of Kansas and Mr Carl Brewer, Mayor, City of Wichita addressed the Conference, which was attended by over 100 participants from a cross section of industries including aviation, food processing, infrastructure, IT, etc.

The main objective of this Conference was to create awareness about the business climate in India both for investment and trade.

This was the first ever business promotion conference organized by FICCI in Wichita, Kansas, and was received very well.

In response, it is expected that the Governor of Kansas and Mayor of Wichita will visit India next year along with a business delegation.

The Indian delegation also visited two aviation companies viz. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation and Cessna Aircraft Company and invited them to join the India Aviation Expo being organized by FICCI in September 2008.

The Indian delegation also had meetings with Boeing and World Trade Center in Chicago.

Interactive Meeting with business delegation from Miami-Dade County, Florida
October 5, 2007- New Delhi

FICCI organized an Interactive Meeting with a high-level business delegation led by Ms Natacha Seijas, Commissioner of Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA, on October 5, 2007 in New Delhi.

The visiting delegation comprised of government officials and businesses from various sectors including healthcare & pharmaceuticals, textiles, jewellery & cottage industries, aviation, ports & shipping.

The objective of the meeting was to explore ways to increase bilateral trade between Miami-Dade County and India and highlight Miami-Dade County's role as a gateway for Latin America.

India Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program
October 9-17, 2007 - USA

FICCI and the India-U.S. Forum of Parliamentarians in collaboration with the Yale University, launched the India - Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program. The Yale University is widely recognized for educating leaders in government, business, and civil society worldwide.
A five-day leadership program was organised with Yale Faculty in New Haven, Connecticut beginning on October 9. This was complemented by a three-day program of meetings, discussions, and interactions with U.S. government and business officials in Washington, D.C.
The participating parliamentarians were Mr Raashid Alvi, Mr Deepender Singh Hooda, Mr Naveen Jindal, Mr Robert Kharshiing, Mr Chandan Mitra, Mr B J Panda Mr Dharmendra, Mr R.C.S. Reddy, Mr Shahid Siddiqui, Mr Dushyant Singh, Mr Tiruchi Siva and Mr Madhu Goud Yaskhi. The parliamentarians were accompanied by Mr Ramesh Chandran, Executive Director, India - U.S. Forum of Parliamentarians, and Advisor, FICCI and Mrs Ranjana Khanna, Assistant Secretary General, FICCI.

Interactive meeting with Governor Tim Pawlenty, State of Minnesota, USA and accompanying business delegation
October 26, 2007 - Mumbai

FICCI organised an interactive meeting with Governor Tim Pawlenty, State of Minnesota, USA and the accompanying delegation on October 26, 2007 in Mumbai.
Governor Pawlenty was leading one of the largest Trade Missions from an U.S. State to visit India with 73 participants. Representatives of IBM, Best Buy, 3M and CH were part of the delegation, since Minnesota is a major exporter of computer and electronic products and medical services.
The objective of the meeting was to explore ways to increase bilateral trade between the State of Minnesota and India.

During the discussion, it was felt that there lay immense potential for enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas like agriculture, medical manufacturing, environment protection, renewable energy, computers, metal fabrication and biomedical engineering.

Interactive Meeting with Mr Henry M Paulson, Jr., US Treasury Secretary
October 30, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI organised a meeting with Mr Henry M Paulson, Jr., US Treasury Secretary and India-US Forum of Parliamentarians on 30th October 2007 at Federation House, New Delhi.

From the Indian side, the Parliamentarians who attended the meeting included Mr Suresh Prabhu, Mr Samba Siva Rao, Mr Chandan Mitra, Mr Shahid Siddiqui,Mr Jyotiraditya Scindia, Mr Dushyant Singh, Mr J D Seelam, Mr Naveen Jindal and Mr Dharmendra Pradhan.

Mr Allan Hubbard, Assistant to the President of US for Economic Policy & Director, National Economic Council and HE Dr David C Mulford, US Ambassador in India, also joined the meeting.

During the discussions, the visiting Treasury Secretary felt that the key to sustain the growth of the economy was to continue with the reforms process. He also mentioned that the conclusion of Doha Roundtable was of critical importance and US would continue to push towards this end. In response to a question about why there were less US investments in the infrastructure sector in India, Mr Paulson mentioned that their biggest concern was to maintain the sanctity of contracts and putting proper dispute resolution mechanism in place. We mentioned that besides US participation in the infrastructure and other economic sectors, there should be greater participation by the US in social sectors, for example health and education.

Dinner Reception in Honour of Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., State of Utah, USA, & Accompanying Delegation
October 30, 2007 - New Delhi

FICCI hosted a Dinner Reception in honour of Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., State of Utah, USA and the high-level business delegation accompanying him, on 30 October, 2007 in New Delhi.

The 25-member delegation comprised of Government officials, representatives from educational institutes and CEOs of companies from a cross-section of industries including financial services, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electrochemistry, BIM devices and technology providers.

Mr Devin Narang, Executive Committee Member, FICCI, presented the welcome remarks.

The focus of the meeting was to apprise the visiting delegation about the overall business scenario in India, the modalities of doing business here with special emphasis on exploring possibilities of cooperation in thrust areas between the State of Utah and India.

Roundtable Discussion with Mr Claudio Lilienfeld, Acting Assistant US Trade Representative
November 14, 2007- New Delhi

FICCI organized a Roundtable Discussion with Mr Claudio Lilienfeld, Acting Assistant US Trade Representative and its member companies on November 14 2007 in New Delhi.

The objective of the meeting was to discuss issues of concern to the two sides which were coming in the way of increasing bilateral economic relations.

Interactive Meeting with Delegation from US Export-Import Bank
November 19 , 2007- New Delhi

FICCI organized an Interactive Meeting with the US Export-Import Bank on 19 November 2007 in New Delhi.

The delegation comprised of Mr. Raymond Ellis, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives Division and Ms. Kristine Bretl Wood, Senior Business Development Officer.

The delegation sought to interact with Indian Businesses with special focus on infrastructure development projects. Ms. Wood gave a detailed presentation on the roles and functions of US EXIM Bank and its programmes including loans and credit guarantees for promoting US exports to India.