India trade pushed in state
Envoys visit here to tout partnerships with businesses

Saturday, May 13, 2006

By MARIAN ACCARDI
Times Business Writer accardi@htimes.com

The Indian ambassador to the United States and the consul general from India visited Alabama this week - with a stop in Huntsville on Friday - to help launch a new organization to promote partnerships between new and existing businesses in India and in the state.

Alabama India Business Partnerships is a private, nonprofit membership group designed to develop and expand trade, business, investment and general commerce between Alabama and India.

"I think (the initiative) is good because there are a lot of prospects for business" between India and the state, Ambassador of India Ronen Sen said Friday afternoon after arriving at Signature Flight Support.

He and Consul General S.M. Gavai were guests Friday night at a reception and dinner sponsored by CFD Research Corp., the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. The officials had earlier traveled to Mobile and Birmingham.

"We want to get down to specifics," he said. Considering the state's location, available infrastructure and productive work force, he said, "this is an attractive place for two-way trade and investment and research and development."

Dr. Ashok Singhal, the president of CFD Research Corp. and a director of the Alabama-India initiative, said "the timing is perfect" for the effort because of "the growing momentum and recognition of the talent and capacities, especially for high-tech business," of both India and Alabama.

The initial focus of the Birmingham-based AIBP includes biotechnology and pharmaceuticals; science and engineering education; telemedicine and cooperative medical practices; information technology; and automotive, power and other industries.