USAID-Supported Meet to Help Green Businesses in India Find International Partners

November 02, 2006

MUMBAI – Speaking at the New Ventures India Forum today in Mumbai today, U.S. Consul General Michael Owen highlighted the importance of creating innovative business partnerships that promote efficient energy and clean development.

The Forum, a two-day conference sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is bringing small and medium companies together to promote business development in sectors such as renewable energy, green building, recycle and re-use technologies, eco-tourism, non-timber forest products and organic products.

In his opening remarks to conference participants, Mr. Owen called on companies to invest in “green” activities as both good business and good for the environment: “The innovative New Ventures India partnership contributes to the shared desire in the U.S. and India to promote clean and efficient energy and clean development. In the United States we have seen that the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies and practices in business can help to conserve natural resources and have a positive impact on the bottom line of businesses.”

Launched in December 2005 in Hyderabad, New Ventures India is a U.S. and Indian partnership supported by USAID, the Confederation of Indian Industry Green Business Center and the World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C. to promote environmentally friendly and socially responsible business.

New Ventures India is part of New Ventures Global, a Washington D.C.-based organization helping small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets improve their business plans and strategies. In addition to the India, New Ventures Global operates centers for entrepreneurship in Brazil, China, Indonesia and Mexico.

Related Link: Read full text of the speech