USIBC Explores Investment Opportunities In AP's 'Farm-to-Market' Supply Chain

The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) recently explored business opportunities in the State of Andhra Pradesh with a delegation of executives eager to invest in the State's farm-to-market supply chain. The Executive Delegation had just arrived from New Delhi where it announced a shift in focus to inclusive growth, investment in infrastructure and education.

Delegation leaders Dr. Ian Thomas, President of Boeing India, and Paul Conway, President of Cargill Asia, have assembled a blue-chip U.S. delegation representing top American firms keen to find investment opportunities in India's farm-to-market supply chain, hoping to unleash productivity and unlock the vast potential of the Indian agricultural sector.

"The collaborations in technology and infrastructure we seek present a win-win for opportunity for industry, for the people, and for the economy of Andhra Pradesh," said Ian Thomas, member of the executive committee of the Board of Directors of the USIBC, which yesterday met in New Delhi with USIBC Chairman, Indra Nooyi.

The delegation will meet with Chief Minister Y.S. Reddy to discuss how U.S. companies can transfer technologies that will make a meaningful impact on the AP agriculture sector, given the favorable investment climate in the State, the excellent gains in infrastructure development achieved, and in light of the downstream opportunities that will likely flow from the Reliance Gas Pipeline.

USIBC President Ron Somers noted that: "the new airport is but one example of the political will and leadership that is attracting important infrastructure investment to the State. The production of the Krishna Godavari gas discovery later this year will provide a further impetus for development. Opportunities to strengthen the Andhra Pradesh agricultural sector will abound. U.S. companies can provide key technologies and form collaborations that will make the most of this progress," Somers noted.

Ron Somers complimented AP for its extraordinary success in the Information Technology arena. "We now must turn our attention to enhancing efficiencies and increasing productivity in the agricultural field," the USIBC President noted.

The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), formed in 1975 under the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is the premier business advocacy organization representing 300 of the largest U.S. companies investing in India, joined by global Indian companies, whose mandate is to deepen U.S.-India commercial ties. www.usibc.com

SOURCE: U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC)