US delegation to visit Kolkata to boost trade

After a gap of over three years an American business delegation will visit West Bengal on Friday to strengthen trade ties between eastern India and the US. The team will mainly comprise representatives from dredging equipment companies, which are seeking entry and partnership in port and maritime technology sector with Indian entities operating in the region.

There will be a business to business interaction in Kolkata with Indian entities in the sector on Februaray 17, which will be organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Union minister of state for shipping, Mukul Roy will also be present at the meeting.

“They should talk to each other. A good partner can ensure that you are going to have good business. Right now we are looking at partnership,” Judy Reinke, Minister Counsellor for Commercial Affairs, US told reporters here.

Last time a US business delegation visited the state on 2008, an official in US consulate said.

“It's not a sudden change in climate. We never hesitated before (about coming to West Bengal)..We want to encourage US companies to partner with India,” Reinke added.

Apart from official from leading cargo port of US, Port of Baltimore (POB), the “Port and Maritime Technology Trade Mission” will comprise reresenratives from the dredging equipment companies like Ellicott Dredges, DSC Dredge, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock.

US government's development finance institution, OPIC and US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will also be represnted in the delegation.