Indian mangoes for US; Indo-US Trade Advisory Group set up

New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) The sixth Ministerial meeting here today of the US-India Trade Policy Forum permitted import of Indian mangoes to the US markets and announced setting up of a Private Sector Advisory Group of prominent American and Indian experts to suggest measuers for stepping up bilateral trade.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Commerce Minister Kamal Nath and United States' trade representative Susan Schwab.

The first consinement of Indian mangoes to the United States will leave the shores of India later this month.

The two leaders made a comprehensive reviews of the existing bilateral trade issues relating to the two largest democracies of the world.

The Forum is perceived by the two entities as a critical instrument for advancing bilateral trade and fostering investments.

''It is our hope that Private Sector Advisory Group will infuse our very productive existing dialogue with new ideas to enhance the bilateral trade and investment environment,'' Ms Schwab said.

Mr Kamal Nath said, the Group being an independent think tank would prove to be a ''valuable channel'' for giving the private sector perspective and a new dimension to the ongoing dialogue which will provide fillip to US-India bilateral trade and investments.

Membership of the Group includes key voices in the United State and India on international economic and trade policy.

The US representatives include; Mr C Fred Bergesten, Director of the Pete G Peterson Institute for International Economics (IIE) Mr John J Castellani, President of the Business Roundtable and Mr Ron Somers, President of the US-India Business Council.

The experts from India include -- Dr V Krishnamurthy, Chairman, National Manufacturing Competitive Council, Dr Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Chairman, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), Dr Rajiv Kumar, Director, ICRIER, Mr R Sheshasayee, President, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mr Habil Khorakiwala, President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

In the event of Mr Khorakiwala not being able to attend the proceedings, FICCI Secretary General Amit Mitra will participate.

UNI