On February 7, AMCHAM’s Eastern Region, in partnership with the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hosted the U.S. Ambassador to India for an interactive session with members of the business community, think tanks and press.

Ambassador Juster, in his address, thanked AMCHAM and the BCCI for hosting him on his first business address in Kolkata. He mainly focused on the U.S. government’s Indo-Pacific strategy, the U.S.-India partnership and the bilateral economic relationship, a cornerstone of the U.S. – India strategic partnership. He mentioned how the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy reflects the growing range of shared interests between both countries and a natural complement to India’s ‘Act East’ policy. The U.S.-India strategic partnership was designed to strengthen both countries and to have a beneficial impact on the region.

The Ambassador touched upon the enormous opportunities in the energy sector. The United States is uniquely positioned to offer India a comprehensive energy partnership which includes all forms of energy – coal, crude oil, natural gas, and nuclear power, as well as, technology related to clean fossil fuels, smart grids, energy storage, and renewable resources.

Ambassador Juster emphasized that the U.S. business presence in eastern India with close to 200 American companies operating in the eastern region through direct investments, joint venture partnerships, distributorships and dealerships, and franchisee and license agreements. These U.S. businesses operate in a range of sectors, including information technology, with companies such as Cognizant and IBM and food processing, with Frito Lay’s state-of-the-art potato processing plant.

Mr. Gulshan Sachdev, Vice Chairman – AMCHAM introduced Ambassador Juster. Mr. B. B. Chatterjee, Senior Vice President, BCCI, gave the welcome remarks. Mr. Debdas Sen, Chairman – Eastern Region, AMCHAM, moderated the Q&A. Mr. Deb A. Mukherjee, Vice President, BCCI, gave the vote of thanks.

Read more about the Ambassador’s address in the press coverage:

India should seize opportunity to become US business hub: Envoy – The Economic Times

‘India should seize strategic opportunity to become a major hub for US business’ – Indian Express

US envoy all for trade ties – The Telegraph
US envoy stresses on need to strengthen ties between 2 nations – The Statesman

‘India should seize opportunity to become US business hub’ – The Sentinel
US for greater inter-operability of forces with India – News18.com
America First” and “Make in India” not incompatible : US Ambassador to India – UNI
Want to help India build its indigenous defence capabilities: US ambassador Kenneth Juster – India Today