Events

Past Events

Interactive Session with Ms. Enoh T. Ebong, Acting Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency – 19th June 2017

AMCHAM India hosted an interactive session with Ms. Enoh Ebong, Acting Director, USTDA and her team during their visit to India on 19thJune 2017 at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The meeting was focused on the future of U.S. – India economic collaboration and to understand the roadmap from USTDA for various sectors going forward. Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM, made welcome remarks and Ms. Enoh Ebong Acting Director, USTDA was introduced by Ms. Mehnaz Ansari, Country Representative – South Asia, USTDA.

Ms. Enoh Ebong, in her opening remarks highlighted some work supported by USTDA, such as shale gas projects, alternate power for telecom towers and the importance of revival of the Energy Cooperation Program between USTDA and the Indian Planning Commission, now known as the NITI Aayog, and she also emphasized the work they have done in smart cities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ policy was discussed. Mr. Henry Steingass, Regional Director for South and Southeast Asia, USTDA, added that a reverse trade mission is scheduled for September 2017 on refinery upgradation and another reverse trade mission is being planned for March 2018 with the focus on smart grid and energy storage.

AMCHAM members introduced themselves and talked about issues that they face while implementing their projects in India. Members also shared their expectations from USTDA regarding grants for feasibility studies and pilot projects. They also suggested that U.S. companies should work as a group of solution providers rather than working individually.

Mr. Naveen Tandon, Co-Chairman – ICT Committee, AMCHAM and Director – International External Affairs, AT&T, spoke about the importance of carbon footprint while implementing telecom projects. Ms. Aslesha Khandeparkar, Country Head & Senior Director, Oracle India, spoke of Oracle’s contribution to the power sector. Mr. Shailendra Kumar, Project Director, Flour Daniel India, revealed that they had successfully implemented a bottoms upgrade with Bharat Petroleum with support from USTDA. He said Flour Daniel had contracted to build the world’s largest pet coke facility for Reliance. Mr. A.N Bakshi, Managing Director, Cambridge Energy Resources, spoke at length about his company working on projects to convert telecom towers using diesel to ethanol to solar energy. He said he was already involved in 200 sites in Uttar Pradesh which was the only state to have a micro power policy.

The event concluded with vote of thanks from Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM India.