For Immediate Release: June 28, 2006
Contact: Matt Englehart (202) 482-3809

U.S. Under Secretary for International Trade Announces Business Development Mission to India in November

U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Franklin L. Lavin today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce will lead a business development mission to India in November. Lavin is inviting U.S. companies from a wide range of sectors to participate in the mission. Indian Secretary of Commerce S.N. Menon welcomed the proposal.

The mission stems from a commitment by President George W. Bush to elevate the Commercial Dialogue during his March 2006 visit to India. In May, Lavin and Menon discussed regular contact at all government levels to discuss day-to-day issues that affect doing business in each other’s markets.

“U.S. trade with India has nearly doubled in the last three years, and the opportunity for U.S. businesses to export there has never been better,” said Lavin. “As our economic relationship grows, we must work closely together to ensure that American companies have the opportunity to compete and identify new customers in the fast-growing Indian market.”

India is one of the few countries in the world with which the United States has a sub-cabinet dialogue of this nature. The United States currently has sub-cabinet level commercial dialogues with Brazil, China, the EU and NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico.

The International Trade Administration is responsible for developing U.S. trade policy, identifying and resolving market access issues, administering U.S. trade laws, enhancing the global competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing and services sectors, and coordinating U.S. trade advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. businesses.

Businesses and individuals interested in participating in the India Business Development Mission can register at www.export.gov/indiamission or call 1-800-USA-TRADE ext. 21.

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