The Indo-US CEO forum which is scheduled to meet in New York later this year is expected to discuss some contentious issues related to the trade and investment between the two countries, David Bohigian, US assistant secretary of commerce said at an interactive session with the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
The Indian CEO contingent has already identified 24 areas pertaining to the barriers between the Indo-US trade and investment, some of which need US attention while the remaining areas require a joint Indo-US effort.
The contingent has also submitted its reoport, incorporating these 24 areas to the Indian Prime Minister as well as to the US President.
Infrastructure is one of the major areas and one of the recommendations of the contingent is the creation an infrastructure fund worth $5 billion, involving the Indian and the US private sector, with a minority government participation.
The contingent has also pitched for setting up of the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) type regulatory body in India and has sought assistance from the US in this regard.
Bohigian expressed confidence that the Indo-US CEO forum would work towards resolving the corporate disputes adding "The US department of commerce will faciltate better understanding of the US trade regulations for the benefit of Indian firms."
He further said that the US has already launched a special programmme for entrepreneurial growth, essentially aimed at boosting investment in US from small and medium entrepreneurs.
Referring to the conducive investment atmosphere offered by the US economy, Bohigian said, "About 5 million US workers were employed by foreign firms in US and the country has 4.6 million jobs that indirectly depend on FDI. Foreign firms invested $65 billion in US in 2006 and the country atttracted an FDI of $175 billion in the same year."
Singapore accounted for 22 per cent of the overall investment in US while India's share was 3 per cent.
The Indian majority owned firms in US employed over 12,000 US citizens.
© 2025