Texas Governor Greg Abbott today hinted at taking a trade delegation to India soon as part of his efforts to make this Southern most American State the number one trading partner with India.
"I want Texas to be #1 in trade with India. Working together, we can achieve that goal. And that might require a trade trip to India," Abbott said in his key note address to the 6th annual US India Chamber of Commerce reception banquet, where he discussed with Indian-American business owners the merits of living and working in the State of Texas.
"India and Indian-American businesses are a big reason for that success. Texas is the 4th largest exporter to India with about USD 2 billion shipped last year. Texas is the 4th largest importer at about USD 4 billion last year. But this is Texas and 4th place isn't good enough," Abbott said.
In his remarks, Abbott said the relationship between India and Texas is far deeper than just commerce.
"The values we share, they transcend cultures. Values founded on family, faith, free enterprise and hard work. That's why more than half a million Indian-Americans call Texas home," he said.
"Those values are reflected in people like my friend Dr Renu Khator, the Chancellor and President at the University of Houston," he said.
"The values we share are also reflected in people like Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, the President of UT-Arlington," he added.
That very notion of reaching for unlimited opportunity is what attracts business to Texas - from countries around the globe - even from California.
"Take my friend Jay Adair, the CEO of Copart. He moved his business from California to Texas. He said the reasons were simple - taxes were too high, regulations in California were out of control and unions had virtually hijacked the state," the Governor said.
"Jay looked at every state to relocate his business, and in looking at the bottom line, he chose Texas. But what he didn't realise until he got here is that there's something far more valuable about Texas - freedom," he said.
"That freedom has powered businesses like yours and propelled Texas to the economic pinnacle of the US. Texans created more jobs last year than in any year in the history of our state," Abbott said.
