Georgia Hosts Inaugural USA India Business Summit in Atlanta

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today joined with the Ambassador of India to USA, Her Excellency Ms. Meera Shankar, and a host of other dignitaries and business leaders from the United States and India during the opening of the first annual USA India Business Summit. Held in Atlanta May 10-11, this two-day conference includes participation from economic development and business representatives from both countries.

“I am pleased Georgia was selected to host the first-ever USA India Business Summit in Atlanta, which is certainly a testament to Georgia’s diverse economy and constantly growing international presence,” said Governor Perdue. “Georgia and the United States share a dynamic relationship with India, and I am encouraged by the new global business opportunities for both countries that will result from this summit.”

With the theme of “Growing Business and Promoting Entrepreneurship,” the USA India Business Summit aims to promote enhanced bilateral cooperation between the United States and India. Georgia and India have a particularly strong relationship, largely based on the trade partnership developed between the two entities.

“As host of the inaugural USA India Business Summit, Georgia’s stock as a leader in global commerce is greatly enhanced,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “India is one of our state’s longstanding trade partners, which is a credit to Georgia’s strategic assets and progressive business environment that makes these bilateral opportunities possible.”

In 2009, India announced it would locate a Consulate General for the U.S. Southeast in Atlanta. Consular offices serve as a conduit for business relationships between countries. The Indian consulate would represent the 64^th country to locate a trade office in Georgia.

Georgia’s exports to India totaled more than $420 million in 2009, representing a 35 percent increase since 2008. Among U.S. states, Georgia ranks first in its exports of chemical products, kaolin, and textile floor coverings to India. Other top exports to India include aircraft and spacecraft products, electrical machinery, wood pulp, iron and steel, and paper and paperboard.

Georgia imports from India through the Savannah Customs District totaled close to $842 million in 2009. The state’s top imports from India include apparel, pharmaceutical products, nuclear reactors and boilers, and other textile articles.  Among all U.S. states, Georgia ranks as the seventh-leading state ranked on dollar value of imports from India in 2009.

Georgia companies with operations in India include the Coca-Cola Company, NCR and Delta Air Lines among others. Nearly 20 Indian firms do business in Georgia, including Wipro Technologies, Mahindra USA, Novelis Corporation and Navtech LLC.

In addition to Governor Perdue and Ambassador Shankar, other conference speakers include the Honorable Suresh Kumar, Assistant Commerce Secretary and Director General of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, and Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and CEO of Henry Schein, Inc.

For additional USA India Business Summit information, visit www.usaindiabusinesssummit.com.

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