Press Release

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez to Visit India February 13-14

WASHINGTON – U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez will travel to New Delhi, India, Feb. 13-14 to meet with senior officials and business leaders to discuss ways to promote opportunity and economic growth between the two countries. Gutierrez’s visit follows President Bush’s historic visit to India last year.

“My visit will focus on expanding our bilateral economic relationship and working to increase U.S. exports to India,” said Gutierrez. “I look forward to discussing with India’s government the opportunities our two nations face as we strengthen our relationship and expand upon our economic successes.”

“American companies should be exporting more to India, and India should work with us to make sure American exporters and businesses are treated fairly,” said Gutierrez.

Gutierrez will meet with senior government officials including Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath.

Gutierrez will also give a major address to members of the American Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

The meetings will include discussions on enforcing intellectual property rights, reducing red tape for U.S. companies trying to do business in India and the United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act signed by President Bush in December 2006. Secretary Gutierrez will reaffirm the President’s commitment to the Asia Pacific Partnership (APP) on Clean Development and Climate initiated by President Bush, Prime Minister Singh, and the leaders of Australia, China, Japan and South Korea to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Secretary Gutierrez will also stress to Indian officials the importance of India’s full cooperation in advancing the Doha negotiations in the WTO, specifically efforts to liberalize trade in industrial and agricultural products as well as services. Gutierrez noted that India is increasingly becoming a vital and important partner on matters of security and trade and that the country will become a key player going forward in the next Doha Round of trade talks.

Last fall Under Secretary for International Trade Frank Lavin led the largest U.S. government business development mission in history to India during November-December of 2006. The mission included 250 American business representatives and state government officials who explored export opportunities to India.

The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner, and through November that partnership was worth $29 billion in two-way trade. U.S. exports to India increased 25 percent from Jan.-Nov. 2005 through Jan.-Nov. 2006, and investment is up 10 percent.