ID :
196066
Wed, 07/20/2011 - 13:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/196066
The shortlink copeid
CHENNAI ACQUIRES INTERNATIONAL AURA AS HILARY CLINTON COMES CALLING
By Manik Mehta
WASHINGTON, July 20 (Bernama) -- Chennai, formerly Madras, has been a favourite destination of many Malaysians, particularly of Tamil origin.
The number of flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chennai reflects the significance of the Tamil Nadu state for Malaysia, not only in terms of tourism but also, increasingly, trade and investments.
However, Malaysia's corporate sector would do well to note that it is not alone in tapping the business opportunities in that state; Chennai is, meanwhile, attracting considerable interest from Western countries, including the United States.
Indeed, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, now on a three-day visit to India for a strategic dialogue, will be the first Secretary of State to visit Chennai. But why is America showing interest in Chennai?
Chennai's importance for America cannot be simply explained with its emergence as a trade and investment hub or the presence of a Ford plant in the city where cars are produced not only for the domestic market but also for exports.
Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokesperson, succinctly put it during a press briefing before Clinton's departure that Chennai has had a track record of "people-to-people engagement" which is the driving factor behind the intensifying US-India relationship.
This factor, alone, had motivated Clinton to spend a day in the city.
Added to the business and economic objectives of Clinton's visit, is the warmth and admiration that the people of Chennai have historically had for the United States.
Another plus factor that sways American companies and entrepreneurs to Chennai is the economic freedom that exists here, with the state government creating an environment that encourages partnership between state-owned enterprises and private corporate players.
It was also not surprising that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib became the first Malaysian leader to visit Chennai and hold talks with the state's chief minister during his official visit to India.
Trade between US and India has grown over 100 per cent in the past
decade, and is expected to further grow and drive the economic partnership.
Another major indicator of the growing intensity in people-to-people ties is the surging number of visas issued to Indian citizens for the United States.
Tourism from India is also contributing in no small way to America's revenue from India.
Over 650,000 Indians visited the United States in 2010, posting an 18 per cent rise over the previous year.
Though Malaysia is much closer, geographically and culturally, to India, the number of Indians visiting Malaysia is far less than those visiting the United States.
"I believe it has something to do with the visa facility. It is now easier for an Indian citizen to get a US visa, provided your intention is to visit, than for other countries.
"The US has always viewed tourism and trade as important vehicles to exercise their influence in foreign markets. Malaysians might consider doing that too," says Ramesh Khanna, an Indian travel agent dealing with outbound tourism from India.
WASHINGTON, July 20 (Bernama) -- Chennai, formerly Madras, has been a favourite destination of many Malaysians, particularly of Tamil origin.
The number of flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chennai reflects the significance of the Tamil Nadu state for Malaysia, not only in terms of tourism but also, increasingly, trade and investments.
However, Malaysia's corporate sector would do well to note that it is not alone in tapping the business opportunities in that state; Chennai is, meanwhile, attracting considerable interest from Western countries, including the United States.
Indeed, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, now on a three-day visit to India for a strategic dialogue, will be the first Secretary of State to visit Chennai. But why is America showing interest in Chennai?
Chennai's importance for America cannot be simply explained with its emergence as a trade and investment hub or the presence of a Ford plant in the city where cars are produced not only for the domestic market but also for exports.
Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokesperson, succinctly put it during a press briefing before Clinton's departure that Chennai has had a track record of "people-to-people engagement" which is the driving factor behind the intensifying US-India relationship.
This factor, alone, had motivated Clinton to spend a day in the city.
Added to the business and economic objectives of Clinton's visit, is the warmth and admiration that the people of Chennai have historically had for the United States.
Another plus factor that sways American companies and entrepreneurs to Chennai is the economic freedom that exists here, with the state government creating an environment that encourages partnership between state-owned enterprises and private corporate players.
It was also not surprising that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib became the first Malaysian leader to visit Chennai and hold talks with the state's chief minister during his official visit to India.
Trade between US and India has grown over 100 per cent in the past
decade, and is expected to further grow and drive the economic partnership.
Another major indicator of the growing intensity in people-to-people ties is the surging number of visas issued to Indian citizens for the United States.
Tourism from India is also contributing in no small way to America's revenue from India.
Over 650,000 Indians visited the United States in 2010, posting an 18 per cent rise over the previous year.
Though Malaysia is much closer, geographically and culturally, to India, the number of Indians visiting Malaysia is far less than those visiting the United States.
"I believe it has something to do with the visa facility. It is now easier for an Indian citizen to get a US visa, provided your intention is to visit, than for other countries.
"The US has always viewed tourism and trade as important vehicles to exercise their influence in foreign markets. Malaysians might consider doing that too," says Ramesh Khanna, an Indian travel agent dealing with outbound tourism from India.
