The Mayor of Houston, Annise D. Parker expressed her pleasure for starting her foreign trip from Mumbai. She drew parallels between the two cities that the four common reasons for doing business with Mumbai are: Geographical, economical, both are business capitals and international port cities. Parker was glad to have started her journey from Mumbai first.

“I am glad to have viewed Mumbai city from top of the World Trade Centre building, which gives a perspective of why this city is financially very powerful.” Annise D. Parker the Mayor of Houston, State of Texas, USA spoke at an interactive session on “Houston: Your Gateway to the America,” on April 20, at the World Trade Center, Mumbai. She was accompanied by a high-level business delegation.

Parker emphasized that over 700 firms from Houston have joint businesses with India. Parker elaborated that Houston is the fastest manufacturing city of US and the oil capital of America.

It also is the oil capital of the world. Houston also leads in solar energy, wind power, bio fuels, medical facilities, Pharma and American space program.
Parker highlighted that the economic regulatory climate in Houston is enhancing the trade relations between various regions and countries.

Jagdeep Ahluwalia, Executive Director of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston invited trade delegations from India to enhance the export and trade between the two countries. He laid emphasis on the need for commercializing intellectual industries like Space programs at NASA and medical facilities.

Bob Pertierra, the chief economic officer, Greater Houston Partnership and World Trade Centre Houston said that the trade between Indian and Houston has grown four times over a period of time. He mentioned Houston has $ 1.76 billion Indian companies like TCS, Reliance, ESSAR, Larsen & Toubro and GAIL have contributed to their economy.

He welcomed Indian investors to further strengthen this economic relationship.

Prior to the speeches of the visiting delegation, Deanna Abdeen, the Deputy Principal Officer, Consulate General of the United States in Mumbai termed the relationship between the two countries as a ‘defining’ one, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to US. She explained the bilateral trade relations between India and Houston is at $100 million which will become five fold in the next few years.

India is currently the sixth highest Asian trading partner with Houston. Abdeen emphasized the importance of working together in security developments and emphasized if India and US are more secure it will have profound impact on the rest of the world.

Earlier, Vijay Kalantri, the Vice-Chairman of WTC Mumbai and President of AIAI in his welcome address said that the trade with US is 60 billion. And US is the biggest investor in India. He hopes with ‘Make in India’ will strengthen this relationship and the US technological investments will help the Indian economy grow at 8-12%.
Captain Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman WTC Mumbai proposed the vote of thanks.

Caption for Photo: Honourable Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston, State of Texas, USA presenting a Memento Vijay Kalantri, VC, MVIRDC, WTC & President, AIAI during an interactive meeting on ‘Houston: Your Gateway to the Americas’ along with the high level delegation of more than 30 delegates from Houston on April 20, 2015. Looking on Capt. Somesh Batra Vice Chairman, MVIRDC, WTC, Ashoke Garg, Chairman, Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, Jagdip Ahluwalia, ED, Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston and Bob Pertierra, Chief Economic Development Officer, Greater Houston Partnership & WTC Houston.