State to collaborate in areas of engineering education, development of a finance city etc
South Carolina's first Indian-American and female Governor Nikki Haley
Chennai: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam explored the possibility of collaboration with the American state of South Carolina in areas of engineering education, development of a finance city, renewable energy and entrepreneurship development initiatives. Extending his invite to the upcoming global investor summit in May 2015, the CM sought the participation of the US state when South Carolina’s first Indian-American and female Governor Nikki Haley visited him at the secretariat on Friday.
The Indian-origin governor of the US state was in Chennai with a high-level business delegation on the final leg of their 10-day tour of India inviting businessmen to make investments in South Carolina.In his brief interaction with the group, Panneerselvam drew parallels between Tamil Nadu and South Carolina which are both south-eastern states in their countries and pointed out that there was a natural affinity that needs to be taken forward.
“Both states have become attractive investment destinations for the automobile sector, in particular. Tamil Nadu offers immense potential for co-operation with the US in automobiles and auto parts, electronic hardware, information technology, biotechnology and renewable energy,” he said. There were over 250 US companies in Tamil Nadu with investments of over $4 billion, he added.
Later, speaking at an interactive session with businessmen organised by the CII, Haley said, “I see opportunity here (India). Our government structures are the same and we want to be here. I want Indian companies investing in South Carolina. Already two or three companies have evinced interest, but we may have to wait six months to see the results,” she
added.
According to US Consul General in Chennai Phillip A. Min, bilateral trade between India and the US has already crossed $ 95 billion. “Indian investments in the US were to the tune of $9 billion while US investments in India were in the region of $28 billion (as of March 31, 2014).”
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story
