India offers big business opportunities to US firms: Shankar

US-SHANKAR

Lalit K Jha
Washington, May 22 (PTI) As India is looking for
massive investment in its infrastructure sector in the coming
years, the country offers big business opportunities to
American companies, the Indian Ambassador to the US Meera
Shankar has said.
Addressing the prestigious Economic Club of Minnesota
on 'India's Growth Story - Potential for Partnership', Shankar
said: "India's growing economy and infrastructure needs are
creating big business opportunities for Minnesota companies
and scores of other US firms."
"We are looking to improve our infrastructure [and] to
improve agricultural production," she said addressing some top
250 top corporate leaders of this Mid-Western State at the
Economic Club of Minnesota at the Minneapolis Club.
Noting that India's infrastructure needs could top USD
1 trillion over the next decade, the Ambassador said: "We
would hope the US and companies in Minnesota would be active
in this sector."
India's infrastructure needs include airports, roads
and energy generation, including wind turbines and other green
technology, she said.
Shankar also met the Chief Executives of Cargill,
Target and Meditronics.
The discussions with these companies revolved around
economic cooperation, their operations in India and the
potential for deepening the mutually beneficial relationship.
The three-day Minnesota trip of Shankar marked the
first visit by the top Indian diplomat to Minneapolis after
the Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty, lead a State Trade
delegation to India in 2007.
Shankar had fruitful discussions with Pawlenty on
matters of mutual interest, including trade between the State
of Minnesota and India.
The Governor and the First Lady Mary Pawlenty hosted
the Ambassador for a reception at their residence, where she
interacted with a select group of prominent Minnesotans
including State Senators / Congressmen, Civil Servants,
Businessmen and Indian community.
"We are very pleased that Ambassador Shankar chose to
speak to the Economic Club during her first visit to
Minnesota," said Tim Penny, co-founder of the Economic Club.
"Minnesota companies exported USD 146 million in goods
to India in 2009, making India the 20th largest export market
for goods manufactured in Minnesota. We look forward to
continuing to build that partnership," Penny said.
Shankar also launched the Women's Chamber of Commerce
of the India Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota along with
Margaret Kelliher, Speaker of the State of Minnesota and
Elizabeth Kautz, Mayor of the city of Burnsville.
She visited the University of Minnesota and discussed
issues pertaining to higher education with the President of
the University Robert Bruininks and later addressed a
gathering of the University guests on the topic of Knowledge
Partnership between India and the US. PTI LKJ
BDS


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