On September 26th, AMCHAM officially launched its Pune Chapter, marking a significant milestone for the business community. This event was held in conjunction with the Global Capability Center (GCC) Conference at the JW Marriott, Pune. The launch of AMCHAM’s Pune Chapter cemented the city’s role as a critical hub for U.S. businesses in India. The chapter aims to create a platform for collaboration, networking, and advocacy for member companies across diverse sectors, including IT, manufacturing, and financial services. The event began with a welcome address by Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM. She highlighted Pune’s growing prominence as a business hub, emphasizing its strategic advantages in talent, technology, and infrastructure that have attracted numerous global firms. Ms. Khanna noted that the Pune Chapter would play a critical role in creating an ecosystem for U.S. companies to thrive in the region, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration. Mr. Chandrakant Nayak, Chairman – Western Region, AMCHAM and Country President and CEO, Dow Chemical International (Dow India) underscored the importance of strengthening economic ties between India and the U.S., noting that Pune’s strategic location and industrial diversity make it pivotal to the partnership.

Ms. Kaku Nakhate, National Executive Board Member, AMCHAM and President and India Country Head, Bank of America, during her special address, emphasized the milestone nature of the event, not only for U.S. businesses but also for Pune’s future economic landscape. Ms. Nakhate highlighted Pune’s long-standing reputation as a center for innovation, education, and industry and its evolution into one of India’s leading industrial and technological hubs. Additionally, she commented on Pune’s strong engineering and technology talent pool that presents an opportunity for U.S. businesses to invest in cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and digital transformation, further boosting the city’s reputation as a technology hub. Pune has contributed significantly to the economic growth of Maharashtra, a state already leading in India’s GDP contribution. As Maharashtra works toward its ambitious goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy, Pune is expected to play a central role in achieving this vision.

Mr. Mike Hankey, Consul General, U.S. Consulate General Mumbai delivered the keynote address, commending Pune’s dynamic business environment and reaffirming the United States’ commitment to further enhancing bilateral trade and investment in the region. The Consul General also highlighted that Pune’s industrial base spanning key diverse sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, IT, and biotechnology which has attracted investments from U.S. companies, drawn by the city’s skilled workforce, strong infrastructure, and innovative spirit. He added that U.S. businesses have been at the forefront of Pune’s growth and are expected to contribute even more as Maharashtra works toward its $1 trillion economy target. Mr. Shailendra Jagtap, Vice Chairman – Western Region, AMCHAM and Managing Director & Country Manager, John Deere India, brought the event to a close with optimism for the future and a shared commitment to driving growth in this key region.