US Trade representative to visit Kolkata on April 14

Kolkata, Apr 11 (UNI) US Trade Representative Ambassador Susan C Schwab will lead a high level delegation to the city on April 14 to improve India-US bilateral trade and assess key trade issues in India's eastern region.

According to an American Center press release here today, bilateral trade is likely to double by approximately USD 60 billion by 2008.

During her maiden visit to the country, Ms Schwab would meet West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. She would also visit the Pepsi co/Frito Lays plant in Howrah district and interact with local potato suppliers, the release added.

She would return to New Delhi the same afternoon.

Ambasador Schwab, who is a member of the US President's Cabinet and principal trade advisor, during her visit would discuss the trade issues in the state.

Ms Schwab had earlier stated, ''since the American President's trip to India last March, we have made important progress in our bilateral relationship.'' The US-India Trade Police Forum, launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to America in 2005, is a critical instrument to foster bilateral trade and investment opportunities, she added.

Prior to her visit to Kolkata, Ms Schwab would attend the fourth minister-level meeting of the forum with Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath to discuss initiatives in strengthening bilateral trade ties.

Besides, the meeting would discuss ways to achieve progress in agricultural trade, investment, reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers and boosting innovation and creativity.

Before returning to the US, Ms Schwab would hold discussions with senior Indian officials on the World Trade Organisation Doha Development Agenda, the release stated.

UNI