Consulate General of India Organized Interactive Session and B2B Event in Connection with the Visit of of IACC's Delegation to Chicago

Consulate General of India Organized Interactive Session and B2B Event in Connection with the Visit of of IACC's Delegation to Chicago

The Consulate General of India, Chicago, in partnership with Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), Kolkata hosted an Interactive Session and B2B event on Monday June 13, 2016 at the premises of the Consulate. The event was attended by nearly fifty leading business persons and entrepreneurs working in different sectors of economy in the US-Midwest, besides officials of Illinois Chamber of Commerce, International Business Council, and US-India Chamber of Commerce.

The main speakers at the event were Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India, Mr. Sunder Advani, Regional President, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Western India, Mr William Delaney, Chairman, International Business Council & Founder of Delaney Law for legal entrepreneurship, Mr. Matt Gambs, Chairman of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce & Vice President, Wintrust Financial, Ms. Lisa Waller, Vice President, BDG International, and Mr. Ajit Pant, President and Member, Board of Directors, US-India Chamber of Commerce.

Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, in his speech, said that the IACC's delegation has come to the United States at a very appropriate time just a week after the completion of a very successful 4th visit of India's Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He highlighted the robust health of Indian economy mentioning that as a result of bold reforms agenda and pro-growth policies followed by Government of India, the Indian economy is currently the world's fastest growing economy. He said that in the first quarter of this calendar year, India's GDP growth rate has been around 8% up from 7.6% for the fiscal 2015-16.

“In 2016-17, India's economy is expected to accelerate to double digit growth rate on account of structural reforms and encouraging competitive federalism among the various states”, he stated and added that as the two largest democracies in the world the goal of India and the US is to strive for a sustainable and long term strategic partnership that could work for their common goals of peace and prosperity in the world. He concluded his speech stating that the catch mantra today is “Invest in India, Innovate in India, and Make in India.”

Mr. Sunder Advani, Regional President, IACC thanked the Consulate for making Interactive Session and B2B event possible and for organizing the same at a very short notice. He said that IACC delegates are not only interested in finding partners in the United States but some of them are also interested in investing in United States. He said that the IACC delegation's visit comes on the heels of the fourth successful visit of Prime Minister Mr. Naresndra Modi who has raised US-India relationship to a higher level.

Mr. William Delaney, Chairman, International Business Council (IBC), Illinois Chamber of Commerce mentioned that IBC helps Illinois companies expand their customer base into international markets by providing access, resources, business opportunities, and connections to generate exports and economic growth. “It would be IBC's privilege to assist the visiting delegation to connect with Illinois-based suppliers of goods and services”, he added.

Mr. Matt Gambs, Chairman of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce & Vice President, Wintrust Financial Services informed the visiting IACC delegates about the investment and financial assistance being provided by Wintrust to promote investment and business projects internationally.

Ms. Lisa Waller, Vice President, BDG International gave a very informative power point presentation highlighting freight forwarding and import/export logistics services being provided by BDG International. She also said that BDG International offers special expertise with India in movement of goods from there to US and vice versa. She also enlightened about custom house brokerage and international trade rules and regulations.

Mr. Ajit Pant, President and Member, Board of Directors, US-India Chamber of Commerce Midwest (UICC) welcomed the visit of IACC delegation's visit to Chicago and assured the members of the delegation that UICC would be happy to assist them in business networking and they are free to contact him or UICC members in this regard.

At the conclusion of the event, B2B meetings between the IACC delegates and local business persons took place.