US clean energy cos to join trade mission to India, China

Washington, Apr 14 (UNI) With an aim to leverage opportunities in the fast-growing markets, about 17 US companies will join a Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission to India and China from April 18-25.

The companies participating in the mission range from startups to multi-billion dollar enterprises, US Commerce Assistant Secretary David Bohigian made this announcement yesterday.

''As the Chinese and Indian markets continue their rapid growth, they will encounter unprecedented energy and environmental challenges. The US companies of all sizes have an opportunity to take a leadership role in providing innovative solutions to energy needs in an environmentally responsible way,'' said Mr Bohigian.

The 17 high-technology US companies specialise in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal, and distributed generation sectors. They represent innovative solutions to China's and India's energy and environmental challenges and are potential partners to the countries' business and government leaders.

The companies range in size from fewer than five employees to thousands of employees.

All companies belong to industries promoted by the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP). The APP is a Presidential initiative to achieve a reduction in the intensity of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security, in the context of sustained economic growth.

The APP is a public-private partnership including six partner countries -- Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States -- representing half of the world's economy, population and energy consumption.

Member countries work together to break down policy barriers and facilitate commercial deployment of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security.

UNI