US Commerce Secretary to visit India next week

Washington, Feb 9 (UNI) US Commerce Secretary Carlos M Gutierrez will visit New Delhi on February 13-14 to meet senior Indian officials and business leaders.

During his visit Mr Gutierrez will discuss ways for enhancing economic relations between the two countries.

He will also address the members of the American Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Mr Gutierrez's visit follows US President George W Bush's historic visit to India last year.

The meetings will include discussions on enforcing intellectual property rights, reducing red tape for US companies trying to do business in India and the United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act signed by President Bush in December last year.

Mr Gutierrez will reaffirm the President's commitment to the Asia Pacific Partnership (APP) on Clean Development and Climate initiated by President Bush, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and the leaders of Australia, China, Japan and South Korea to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

He will also stress to Indian officials the importance of India's full cooperation in advancing the Doha negotiations in the WTO, specifically efforts to liberalise trade in industrial and agricultural products as well as services.

''India is increasingly becoming a vital and important partner on matters of security and trade and that the country will become a key player going forward in the next Doha Round of trade talks,'' noted Mr Gutierrez.

Last fall Under Secretary for International Trade Frank Lavin led the largest US government business development mission in history to India during November-December last year. The mission included 250 American business representatives and state government officials who explored export opportunities to India.

The US is India's largest trading partner, and through November that partnership was worth 29 billion dollars in two-way trade. US exports to India increased by 25 per cent from January-November 2005 through January-November 2006, and investment is up 10 per cent.

UNI