Barack Obama thanks Lakshmi Mittal for investing in America

Washington, Nov 15: US President

has thanked London-based Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal for investing in

and creating jobs in the country.

"I want to thank your CEO, Lakshmi Mittal, for investing in America and the Cleveland area," Obama said during his visit to the ArcelorMittal Cleveland Steel Factory in Cleveland, Ohio yesterday. This year alone, the company has invested USD 70 million resulting in creation of 150 new jobs, Mittal said.

"It's a great honor for all of us at ArcelorMittal Cleveland to welcome President Obama here today. We've been making steel in Cleveland for one hundred years," Mittal said in his welcome address.

"The link between Cleveland's success and our investment in advanced high strength steel has been very important to our success," he said. Mittal said in the coming years, "we will help our automotive customers meet the demanding fuel-efficiency standards that will be required in the run up to 2025."

In a novel gesture, Mittal handed over the mike to his employee Tom Scott, who has worked for ArcelorMittal Cleveland for 40 years as a crane operator, to introduce the President. In his remarks, Obama praised ArcelorMittal for turning around the factory which was almost shut down during the economic recession at the beginning of his career.

"Today, the steel you make in Cleveland is some of the strongest you'll find anywhere in the world. It's one of the most productive plants in the world. Best workers in the world," said the US President.

PTI