Session on Business Visas with U.S. Consulate Hyderabad– 29th November 2018

AMCHAM’s Hyderabad Chapter organized a session on U.S. business visas for its members on November 29th, 2018. The session was led by Mr. Eric Alexander, Visa Consul Chief, U.S. Consulate Hyderabad. It was an interactive session attended by about 30 members. A lot of concerns were raised from both sides and questions were answered. Overall it was a very beneficial session where both sides shared great insights into the process – how employees are selected by the companies, the best practices followed and the struggles faced by the Consular officers when an employee comes for the interview. Mr. Eric Alexander thanked AMCHAM for organizing this program. Ms. Sandya Rodrigues, Regional Director – Hyderabad Chapter, AMCHAM, thanked all the Consular officers for a wonderful session.

Participation in the 23rd Annual Global Forum on Strategic Change, Leadership & Learning– 28th November 2018

AMCHAM’s Karnataka Chapter participated in the 23rd Annual Global Forum on Strategic Change, Leadership and Learning hosted at the Shangri-La Bengaluru on November 28th, 2018. The Global Forum on Leadership, Learning and Strategic Change is a not-for-profit ‘community of practice,’ involving participants from major companies and organizations from around the world, who, in a collegial spirit, discuss strategic change, executive learning and organizational development. AMCHAM was represented by Mr. Amit Sharma, COO, IBM India and Mr. Naresh Shah, President, Hewlett Packard India Software Operation, who participated in a panel discussion with several other eminent speakers on the topic of ‘India’s Transformation: Reality or Aspiration?’

Interaction with Invest India and DMICDC– 28th November 2018

On 28th November 2018, AMCHAM, in association with U.S. Embassy organized an interactive event with Invest India and DMICDC on ‘Infrastructure Development Opportunities in India.’ The event was held at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi. Mr. Samit Ray, Co-Chairman – Infrastructure and Smart Cities Committee, AMCHAM and Director Government Affairs & Public Policy, UTC India, led the discussion. The U.S. Embassy was represented by Ms. Dinah McDougall, Commercial Officer, Mr. Matt Ingeneri, Economic Growth Unit Chief and Mr. James Gallimore, Economic Assistant, Economic Growth Unit.

 Presentations were made by Mr. Abhishek Chaudhary, Vice President – Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary, DMICDC and Ms. Chandrima Sinha, Vice President, Invest India. The presentations collectively highlighted the range of opportunities that exist for investing in India’s rapid infrastructural development through various flagship programs most of which are in advanced stages of development. The opportunities for investment and participation are constantly increasing with India being one of the largest economies with a projected GDP of $5 trillion by 2025 and consequently being an attractive investment destination with $1.5 – $2 trillion infra investment demand by 2025 has been highlighted in the presentations.

 On the concerns raised by U.S. companies regarding issues related to visibility of status of ongoing projects and of those on the anvil, Invest India introduced AMCHAM members to the recently launched India Investment Grid Portal which has been modelled to be a single window portal to search, identify, connect, track, promote and analyse projects. This portal is expected to facilitate much needed visibility to members and provide immense support in planning investment as well as to participate in them. An in-depth insight into planning and development of five Industrial corridors, six dedicated freight corridors, tens of cities along the routes, forty-four highways being developed as economic corridors and modernization of various ports with connectivity to economic zones were also shared.

 Invest India and DMICDC extended an open invitation to AMCHAM member companies to visit smart cities under development as well as standalone logistics and connectivity projects and take stock of the on-ground construction activities. The agencies also welcomed the opinion of U.S. companies regarding pace of implementation and the standards which projects are set to achieve for future development. The event closed with all participants looking forward to materializing collaboration and having more such interactive sessions in the future.

Breakfast Session with Ms. Susan Tuller, Deputy Consular Chief, U.S. Consulate Chennai -26th November 2018

AMCHAM’s Karnataka Chapter hosted an interactive session with Ms. Susan Tuller, Deputy Consular Chief, U.S. Consulate Chennai on November 26th, 2018 at the Conrad, Bengaluru. The event was well attended by senior leadership from the HR departments of AMCHAM member companies like JC Penney, Mphasis, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Deloitte and more. The interaction comprised of Ms. Tuller talking about the requirements for companies to follow when submitting visa applications for the United States for employees travelling on business, followed by Q&A.

Interactive Session on Industry Initiatives and Steps to Build a Stronger Indo-U.S. Relationship – 23rd November 2018

November 23rd, 2018 AMCHAM’s Eastern Region organized an interactive session on industry initiatives and steps to build a stronger Indo-U.S. relationship at the Hyatt Regency, Kolkata. Ms. Vandana Yadav, IAS Managing Director of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation was the guest speaker. Ms. Amada Kidwai, Regional Director – Eastern Region, AMCAHM, gave the introduction, Mr. Joydeep Dutta Gupta, Executive Committee Member, AMCHAM, gave the welcome address and Mr. K.P. Sengupta, Past Chairman – Eastern Region, AMCHAM, gave the concluding remarks and vote of thanks. The session concluded with a lively and interactive Q&A session.

Ms. Yadav spoke about the ease of doing business in West Bengal with a focus on the forth coming BGBS 2019 scheduled for February 7-8th, 2019, and invited American companies to participate. She spoke about Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, known as the ‘Cultural Capital’ and ‘City of Joy.’ With an area of 88,752 km; population of 91.3 million, literacy of 77.08%; language spoken – Bengali, English, Hindi, Urdu and Nepali; and 23 districts in the state. West Bengal shared international borders with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan and the fourth largest economy in India, it is strategically located on the east coast making it the ‘Gateway to SE Asia and NE India’ to 300 million people of the region. She said it was the principal commercial, cultural and educational center of East India, the 3rd most populous metropolitan area and skilled manpower in virtually all sectors. She mentioned that Kolkata had the oldest port in India and an airport that was the largest hub for air traffic in the eastern region. She spoke about the investment opportunities in the state touching upon:

 • Agri Business: Agriculture, food processing, fisheries, horticulture, ARD and ari marketing

• Infrastructure: Transport, logistics, power, urban development, manufacturing
• Services: It and Ites, tourism, health, education and skill development

 Some of the statics mentioned included:

• Largest in number of MSMEs and third largest in number of people employed in MSMEs
• Workforce close to 4 crore, third largest in the country
• Leading state in terms of power distribution, quality and availability
• Two large container and bulk handling ports at Kolkata and Haldia
• Two international airports at Kolkata and Bagdogra
• Leading in the country in terms of spread, density and reach of inland waterways
• Among leading exporters with 12% of country’s leather & 10% of iron and steel exports
• In ease of doing business, West Bengal has scored 99.46% in reforms compliance
• e-services and web-supported systems
• State-of-the-art single window system developed for online application

 Ms. Yadav spoke about the WB – U.S. relationship that had a long thriving history earmarked by the visionary speech given by Swami Vivekananda in Chicago at the first ‘World’s Parliament of Religions’ in 1893 as well as the fact that Kolkata, then Calcutta, was an important military hub during World War II for American soldiers. Rabindranath Tagore, the famous poet and Nobel Laureate, visited the United States five times between 1912 and 1930, receiving a warm welcome everywhere. Nobel Laureate Mother Teresa was given honorary citizenship of Chicago. She said that the United States had the second-largest population of Bengali people, outside of Asia after the UK, mainly in New York, California, New Jersey etc. She mentioned that the 2017-18 exports from West Bengal to the U.S. were 6.88% (629.59 USD million) and was the 3rd top most export destination.

 She mentioned that the 2017-18 top export commodities from west Bengal were:

 • Production of Iron and Steel – 27.30 %

• Leather Goods – 13.99 %
• Marine Products – 12.98 %
• Jute Hessian – 4.2 %
• Petroleum Products – 3.64 %

   

National Executive Board Meeting – 20th November 2018

A meeting of AMCHAM’s National Executive Board was held on 20th November 2018 in Bengaluru. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Krish Iyer, Chairman, AMCHAM and President & CEO, WalMart India. The agenda was taken up for discussion with participation from all members present. Other than the board members, officials from the U.S. Embassy along with the U.S. Consul General in Chennai participated. The meeting was followed by a meeting with the Industry Minister of Karnataka, Mr. K.J. George, who was accompanied by Mr. Gaurav Gupta, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department and Mr. Darpan Jain, Commissioner for Industrial Development & Director of Industries & Commerce. In the evening, the Karnataka Chapter organized an impressive program, including a panel discussion, followed by dinner and live music.