India, Alabama to enhance trade ties

Chennai, Feb 14: A 15-member Alabama business delegation is in the city to stimulate and support trade in goods and services, investment, joint ventures and technology transfers between companies in both the countries.

The head of the delegation and Director for International Trade Alabama Development Office US Hilda C Lockhart said, ''It is high time to achieve greater understanding and awareness and closer relationships between Alabama and India in the way of thinking about commerce and trade.'' ''The 15-member trade delegation will explore all possible ways to invest in India to enhance Alabama-India business partnership in the coming years,'' she said at a seminar on 'Participate alliance for business development with Alabama business development mission' organised by the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) here.

Stating that Alabama exports to India climbed by 39 per cent last year to reach 146.8 million dollars over the previous year, she said, ''Alabama is proud to have India as one of its top 20 trading partners.'' Ms Hilda also informed that the purpose of this trade development mission to India was to assess and explore business opportunities, foster further exchange and partnerships and promote Alabama as a world-class business centre.

UNI