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US biz team comes scouting for partners

March 07, 2006 14:57 IST

An eight-member US business delegation led by R Christian M Bartley, executive director of World Trade Centre, Wisconsin, was in Chennai at the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Fapcci) to identify suppliers in the areas of die casting, plastic injection, cast iron, raw casting and machining capability, metal stamping and software products and thereby develop trade partnership with industry in the state.

Representatives from Weimer Bearing & Trans Inc, Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Sales Automation Support Inc and World Trade Centre participated in the interactive business meet.

Speaking at the meet, Bartley, said, "The American perception of Indian trade and business is that they have great respect for IPR and are technology-driven in contrast to China, which is driven by manufacturing prowess."

Yen-Jung Lin, director of international sourcing, Briggs & Stratton, said, "We are looking to what sourcing opportunities exist within the Indian market as we might want to establish a sourcing office in India. We are interested in particular in sourcing opportunities for cast iron products, metal stamping and plastic in general, plastic injections and die cast moulding," she said. 

Briggs & Stratton is into manufacturing of small engines, generators and pressure washer manufacturers.

B Shankar, chairman of foreign trade committee, Fapcci, said that India's competitiveness lay in its product quality as huge investments were being made in product development, R&D and social sectors. 

"We need to increase the bilateral trade between the two countries from the current $20 bn to reach $40 bn in a three-year time frame," he added.

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BS Regional Bureau in Chennai
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