US committed to promote trade ties with India

, June 10: The US on Tuesday said it was committed to promote

and investment ties with India as it opened a new commercial office here. US Consul General Peter Haas inaugurated a new commercial office here, a step aimed at enhancing presence of American Government in Gujarat and boost US-India trade ties.

The facility will house US commercial service staff members, who will play a vital role in connecting US companies with their Indian counterparts in order to promote exports from their country and Indian investment in the world's largest economy, an official statement said. Speaking at the occasion, Haas expressed his country's commitment to promote better trade ties with New Delhi.

He said "today's opening demonstrates the United States' strong commitment to promoting US-India trade and investment. Opening a new commercial office in Ahmedabad signals the US Government is confident our bilateral economic relationship will continue to grow for many years to come."

According the release, US government first started their commercial operation in Ahmedabad in 1997. In the subsequent years, the US commercial service staff has brought multiple high-level trade missions from the US to Ahmedabad.

"The commercial operation has played a crucial role in recruiting Indian buyers to attend trade shows in US, and connected many US and Indian companies to increase imports and exports between our two countries," said Haas. Highlighting the deepening bilateral relationship, the Consul General said trade volume between Washington and New Delhi has already surpassed USD 100 billion per year, almost double the annual level three years ago.

PTI