INVITATION TO BE PART OF INDO AMERICAN  TRADE DELEGATION
FROM  USA TO INDIA”
On Continental Airline’s nonstop flight from Newark to Delhi

Experience Non-stop Travel to India
Leave November 14^th and reach Delhi the next evening

Join members of the Alliance of Indo American Chambers:
Houston & Dallas (TX), Jacksonville, Tampa & Miami (FL), Atlanta (GA) & Tulsa (OK)
& attend
Indo American Chamber of Commerce’s “Indo US Economic Summit”
in New Delhi
on
 Nov 16^th & 17^th.
&
visit the
India International Trade Fair
on Nov 18^th
at Pragati Maidan, Delhi

This “Trade delegation will depart Liberty Airport NY/NJ on Monday November 14^th  2005. Return date from Delhi of the official delegation is Nov 22^rd,  but you may return early or delay your trip by up to 30 days provided seats are available at the same fares. The return date must be specified at the time of booking.  Please see the following pages for additional details regarding this exciting event.

10-Day Economy Package for Travel to Delhi and Mumbai is only $3,700 per person. 

The package includes coach international travel (Newark-Delhi roundtrip), Domestic U.S. airfare (from your originating city to Newark and back), Delhi-Mumbai roundtrip airfare, hotel stays at Delhi and Mumbai, fees to attend the Economic Summit and the India International Trade Fair, meals and local transport.

The Chamber is also offering a “Delhi only” Business Class Package for $5000 which will include

a)       Roundtrip Business Class Airfare to Delhi departing Nov 14^th

b)       Domestic U.S. airfare (from your originating city to Newark and back),

c)       4 nights (Nov 15^th, 16^th,17^th&18^th) Hotel Accommodation at the Taj AMBASSADOR Hotel in Delhi (20 minutes away from Summit venue)

d)       Registration and access to the two day Indo US Economic summit including lunch on both days

e)       A VIP visit to the IITF on Nov 18^th including lunch

f)         You will be free to proceed with your own business meetings/travel plans after the 18^th

For details on a Business Class Package for Delhi and Mumbai, please contact the undersigned by email at almamach@aol.com or call 832 746 8372.

All Reservations with a deposit of $2000 and your return date must be received by the Chamber by October 12^th to reserve this package with the balance of the amount due by October 20th.

Somesh Singh                                                                                 Jagdip Ahluwalia

      President                                                                                         Executive Director

Continental Airlines Sponsors Indo American Trade Delegation to India
November 14^th, 2005- November 23^rd, 2005

INVITATION to join the INDO AMERICAN TRADE DELEGATION FROM THE USA TO NEW DELHI  on  CONTINENTAL AIRLINES nonstop flight to Delhi and attend the

 “Indo American Economic Summit” hosted by IACC in New Delhi on Nov 16^th & 17^th 2005 and the India International Trade Fair 2005 at Pragati Maidan, Delhi on Nov 18^th . 

Continental Airlines is starting nonstop service from Newark’s Liberty Airport to New Delhi with an inaugural flight on November 1^st 2005.

IACCGH is a member of an “Alliance of Indo American Chambers of Commerce” which include

Indo American Chambers in Texas (Houston, Dallas), Georgia (Atlanta),Florida (Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami) and Oklahoma (Tulsa). Members of this Alliance of Indo American Chambers invite you to join them on a special Indo American TRADE DELEGATION to be part of the Inaugural Month Celebrations of the first Nonstop US  to India flight by Continental Airlines.

Delegation to depart Liberty Airport, Newark on Wednesday November 14th 2005. Return date of the delegation is Nov23rd but delegates will be allowed return deviations up to a 30 day maximum, as long as seats are available at the same fares. Return date will have to be specified at the time of booking.

 The Continental Airlines Return ticket is NY/NJ to New Delhi. Return to the USA will be from Delhi.

 Budgeted cost: $3700 (without room upgrades)

Airfare (Domestic connection from Your city to Newark, International and Delhi-Mumbai roundtrip) $1350

Hotel Delhi   5 nights  $1125  (Hotel Taj Ambassador- including 12.5%tax)
Additional supplement for rooms at Taj Palace (venue of Summit)
Luxury room $65/room/night plus 12.5% tax
Club Level    $95/room/night plus 12.5% tax
Hotel Mumbai 2 nights $0360
Fee to attend Summit  $0100
Delegation fee  $0765 to cover cost of transport, meals, meetings, hosting                                                      receptions and other related expenses

A limited number of Economy seats can be upgraded to Business First for an additional $3000.

Seats will be available thru the Chambers of Commerce in Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, Tulsa, Tampa & Miami.
A deposit of $2000 is due by Oct 12th with the balance due by Oct 20th 

We invite you to forward this information to any member of your organization/friends who might be interested in participating in the proposed Trade delegation. They can email me at almamach@aol.com for more details or call me at 832 746 8372.

Pl ask them to respond by Wednesday October 12^th 2005 if they are interested.

Best Regards

Jagdip Ahluwalia
almamach@aol.com
832 746 8372

Itinerary

1) Depart as a group on the Nov 14^th flight from Newark Liberty (EWR) at 8.50pm
Arrive New Delhi 9.15pm November 15^th (total flying time EWR-DEL 14 hours)

Delhi Nov 16^th to Nov 20th

2) Meetings in Delhi will include:

     Meetings with the    Indian Union Minister of Industry and Commerce

     A Briefing breakfast with the US Embassy in Delhi and meetings with US Dept of Commerce Staff in Delhi.

     One on one meetings arranged by US Dept of Commerce (fee based under their Gold Key program) and/or Chambers of Commerce in India 

Nov 16^th & 17^th:      Indo US Economic Summit hosted by IACC India

Nov 18^th:                Visit the 25^th annual India International Trade Fair in Delhi

Nov 19^th:                Option to return to visit the IITF

Nov 19^th evening:  Optional visit to Agra: Taj Mahal (return to Delhi by lunch Nov 20^th)

Nov 20th evening   Depart Delhi for Mumbai (depart Delhi 6.00pm arrive Mumbai 7.55pm)

Nov 21^st                  Meetings in Mumbai

Nov 22^nd                 Meetings in Mumbai

Meetings in Mumbai will include

1.      A briefing by the US Consulate

2.      Meetings with the Maharashtra Industries Ministry

3.      Meetings with the Chairman of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation

4.      Meetings with members and the leaders of the IACC, Mumbai and other Chamber and Trade Associations.

We would like to use the visit to Mumbai to encourage our delegates to understand opportunities for projects/ventures in the State of Maharashtra and hope to arrange a meeting of the delegation with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Delegates will be free to take the evening flight on Nov 22^nd to catch the return flight from Delhi to Newark.

Delegates will also be offered the opportunity to extend their visit with side trips to Pune (leave Nov 22^nd evening from Mumbai for Pune by road), Bangalore, Hyderabad or Chennai. All delegates must return to the USA within 30 days of departure.

Nov 22^nd                 Depart Mumbai for Delhi at 5.45pm to arrive Delhi at 7.40pm

Nov 22^nd                 Depart Delhi 11.45pm for Newark to arrive Nov 23^rd EWR at 5.05am      

Nov 23^rd                  Catch domestic flight back home from EWR.

Domestic Travel within India will be on Sahara Airways. The office will book the group’s roundtrip ticket from Delhi to Mumbai. Tickets for travel to the breakaway cities will be the responsibility of individual members of the group.

Indo-US Economic Summit: Bridging the Gap

 16^th & 17^th November 2005

Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi

The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce is organizing its Second Indo-US Economic Summit, ‘Bridging the Gap’ on 16^th & 17^th November 2005 at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi.

Dr Manmohan Singh’s recent visit to the US has generated substantial goodwill and interest about India in the United States. Indian and American companies are enthused to enter into strategic partnerships in diverse areas.

It is in these exciting and challenging times and when the Indo-US relations are at an all-time high that the Second Indo-US Economic Summit is being held.

Summit objective:

To share ideas and explore opportunities for:

§   Expanding Indo-US trade relations

§   Enhancing Indo-US business collaborations and joint ventures

§   Exploring investment opportunities in India and investment opportunities in the US

§   Establishing one to one business contacts

Summit focus -- issues, problems and opportunities in the following sectors:

§   Expansion of Indo-US trade and Opportunities in organized Retail Trade in India

§   Financial Sector including Banking, Capital Markets and Insurance

§   Partnership with the US in Civil Aviation

§   Indo-US partnership in the Energy sector

Who will participate:

The Summit will be attended by senior representatives from Indian and US Governments, Multilateral and Bilateral bodies, CEO’s of Indian and American Corporates, Public Sector undertakings, Banks & Financial Institutions, Consultants and Decision Makers.

Chief Guest:

Mr Kamal Nath, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, has agreed to, inaugurate the Summit.

Speakers:

Eminent Indian and US personalities from the Indian and US Governments; Corporate leaders from Indian and American businesses, and prominent personalities who have contributed successfully towards Indo-US relations. 

Indo-US Economic Summit : Bridging the Gap

Programme

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

9.00 a.m. – 10.00 a.m.            :           Registration
10.00 a.m – 11.00 a.m.           :           Inaugural Session                  

                                                         Welcome Address
                                                              Mr B Prabhakar
                                                              National President IACC                      

                                                          Theme presentation
                                                              Mr Prem Behl
                                                              Summit Chairman
                                                            Indo-American Chamber of Commerce
                                                           
                                                           Address by
                                                              Dr David C Mulford
                                                              US Ambassador to India *

Special Address
               Mr Michael F Carter
               Country Director
               World Bank                                                                               
  
           Inaugural Address by Chief Guest       
               Mr Kamal Nath
               Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry

Vote of Thanks
    Mr Baljit Sobti
    President, North India Council
    Indo-American Chamber of Commerce                          

11.00 am – 11.30 am                                       :           Tea Break 

11.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.           :            Session I

Organized Retail Trade in India – Options and Opportunities 

Opening address by Chairman and Moderator
Mr Arvind Virmani
Chairman ICRIER

Distinguished Speaker
Mr L Mansingh
Secretary Ministry of Consumer Affairs, GOI

Speakers
Mr Harminder Sahni,
Principal & Associate Director, Retail & Annuities Practice
KSA Technopak

Mr Vikram Bakshi
Managing Director
McDonalds

Mr Anup Singh*
Chief Executive
ITC Tobacco Division

 

4.00 p.m.-4.30p.m.                                          :           Tea

Thursday, November 17, 2005

9.30 am – 11.30 am                            Session IV

11. 30 am – 12.00 noon                                   Tea Break 

12.00 – 1.30 p.m.                                                        Session V

 

 
Chairman and Keynote Speaker
Mr Ajay Prasad
Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, GOI

Speakers
Mr Larry Kellner
Chairman & CEO
Continental Airlines

Mr. Athar Khan
Managing Director, Asia/Pacific

American Airlines
Mr Ronojoy Dutta
President
Sahara Airlines

Dr Vijay Mallya
Chairman
Kingfisher Airlines Ltd

Mr S N Subrahmanyan*
Jt.G.M. & Head Airports
L & T

Mr Kiran Grandhi*
Managing Director
MR Group 

4.00 pm – 4.15 pm                                                       Tea 

Indo-US Economic Summit: Bridging the Gap
November 16 & 17, 2005 Hotel Taj Palace New Delhi

Indo-US trade –For Accelerated Growth

India’s aim is to double India's share in US market from the present 1% to 2 % in the next five years. The two-way trade rose to $21.681billion in 2004-05 up from $18.035 billion in 2003-4 an increase of 20% and is expected to touch $28 billion during 2005-06, recording a significant growth of 30% over the previous fiscal.

US Businesses are looking for a retuned regulatory regime and removal of FDI ceilings

·         Non-Tariff barriers in the US impede market access for various Indian products

·         Huge subsidies to farmers in the US render Indian farm produce uncompetitive and act as a barrier to increase trade.

·         Due to stringent sanitary norms, farm products also face market access problems.

Energy: Crucial for Growth

 To auction additional sites for exploration and drilling have created wide spread interests among the oil majors in the world. A major initiative highlighted during Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s   visit to the US was the US-India Energy Dialogue, designed to promote increased trade and investment in the energy. This dialogue will promote these goals through the following working groups:

a)       Oil and Gas

b)       Coal

c)       Power and Energy Efficiency

d)       New Technologies and Renewable Energy

Estimated to be a US$90 billion industry, the Oil and Gas industry is among the largest contributors to the central and state exchequers in India. Its share approximates US$13.58 billion.

American and other global companies have shown keen interest to participate in the oil and natural gas projects in India. The recent proposals

Opportunities for investors in the energy sector of India exist, but lack of a comprehensive energy policy is a barrier to foreign investment in long-term energy projects.

Banking Sector: Transformation For Globalization

Opening up of the banking sector reforms to the private sector has improved banking system in India by bringing competition, improved products, greater transparency and corporate governance.

The Banking Regulations (Amendment) Bill, 2005 intends to give private investors voting rights proportionate to their shareholdings.  This is expected to attract much needed foreign investment as it was reckoned to be a big constraint on investment by private / foreign players in the Indian Banks.

Competition, convergence and consolidation would be the key drivers of growth in the Indian Banking system.

Insurance: Encouraging Investment

Presently, the Government allows 26% equity limit for FDI in the insurance sector.  The Finance Minister in his budget of 2004-2005, announced the Government’s intention to hike the FDI cap on insurance sector to 49%. 

Indian insurance companies have been actively wooing the government to allow more foreign equity in their companies.  The current paid up requirements of Rs.100 crore for general and Rs.200 crore for life insurance have become difficult benchmarks for the companies to sustain, given the pace of growth of the market.  In such a scenario, the companies’ feel, the injection of additional foreign equity would reduce their costs.  Insurance penetration has been low at around 2%.  The sector was liberalized for the private players towards the end of 1999 when IRDA came out with the regulations.

Capital Markets- A Huge Latent Demand

The equity market is ruling at an all time high and foreign funds are coming into the Indian market in huge amounts.

There is a need to ensure that there is no loss of investment, but robust capital formation leading to higher production, economic growth and creation of employment through effective corporate governance.

Positive tidings about the Indian economy combined with a fast-growing market have made India an attractive destination for foreign institutional investors (FIIs).

 
Civil Aviation: Partnership with US

The Civil Aviation sector is on a roll with both state-owned and private carriers adding more capacity and launching more connections globally, as air traffic to and from India continues to grow at 20 per cent annually.

The US – India Open Skies Treaty signed in April 2005 --removes all barriers on air services between the two countries. It will allow an unlimited number of U.S. carriers to serve an unlimited number of points in India - and will do the same for Indian carriers into the United States.

This agreement will result in more services, more options, more innovation, and lower prices and support initiatives such as technical assistance, jobs training and personnel exchanges.

The Indian Government is also planning to usher in a more flexible FDI regime in the civil aviation sector.  Currently the FDI cap in domestic aviation is 49%. NRI/ OCBs are permitted to invest upto 100% equity.

The New Civil Aviation Policy which is expected to be announced soon, will increase FDI ceilings, while keeping the foreign airlines out of the domestic aviation market.

Silver Jubilee India International Trade Fair  2005-

November 14-27^th, 2005

Venue: Pragati Maidan, Delhi

Organized by The India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), the premier trade promotion agency of the Government of India. Ever since its inception in 1980, this mega-event has evolved into Asia's largest show of its kind. It provides a window to the broad spectrum of industrial progress set in the global background.

This annual event provides a common platform for manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers.

To mark its 25th year, the Indian Trade Promotion Organization will have POWER & COMMUNICATION as special theme. The exhibitors and participants will also cover the following sectors: Information Technology, capital goods, scientific and technological achievements in all sectors of industry, agriculture, telecommunications, infrastructural facilities, services sector, consumer durables, food and food products, textiles and clothing, giftware, kitchenware, toys, sports goods and equipment, building materials, medical and herbal products, leather goods, all kinds of engineering goods, electronic entertainment products etc.

IITF' 2004 has received tremendous responses with participation from more than 7,400 Indian and 327 overseas companies from 28 countries. The fair witnessed a whopping turnover of 2,65,000 business visitors including 86 delegations from 48 countries.  

The Alliance of Indo American Chambers of Commerce Delegation from the USA will visit IITF 2005 on Friday Nov 18^th with the option to also visit the Fair on Saturday Nov 19^th.

Continental Airlines’ Daily Service to New Delhi, India will benefit Houston 

·        Continental will launch daily one-stop service from Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport through its New York-area hub at Newark’s Liberty International Airport to New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport beginning November 1, 2005. 

·         Houston travelers to India will have the benefit of one-stop, same-carrier service through a U.S. gateway, rather than connect through European gateways at Frankfurt Germany Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport or London Heathrow Airport. 

·         Continental’s New Delhi service will reduce current travel time from Houston by at least 2 hours by eliminating transfers to other air carriers that are currently required at these European gateways. 

·         Houston travelers will find Continental’s New Delhi service more convenient, as they will be able to use Continental’s exclusive facilities at Liberty International Airport to clear customs and catch a flight back to Houston without having to change terminals.   

·        Houston travelers will also have the added benefit of access to Continental’s exclusive Presidents Club lounges and the opportunity to earn and redeem OnePass miles for travel to and from New Delhi on Continental.

·        The new service will be operated with a 283-seat Boeing 777 aircraft with a capacity of 48 passengers in the BusinessFirst cabin and 235 in the Economy Class:

• The BusinessFirst seat on the 777 is among the widest business class seats in the world, offering a 170-degree recline and more than six feet of sleeping space in the fully-extended position.  Other features include privacy hoods and large seat side wings for greater privacy. 

• Economy class on the 777 is also exceptionally comfortable and spacious.  As with BusinessFirst class, every Economy class passenger has an individual seatback video system complete with video/audio channels and video games as well as an in-flight telephone with over-water capacity.

·        Flight Schedule   

Houston to New Delhi

o       Depart EWR 8:50 p.m.    Arrive DEL:   9:30 p.m.*

Continental Airlines is the world’s sixth largest airline.  It has more than 3,000 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.  Continental operates its largest hub from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, offering over 660 daily departures to 178 nonstop destinations in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia.  With the airline’s headquarters in downtown Houston and nearly 17,000 employees in the area, Continental is proud to be Houston’s hometown carrier.

Participating Chambers of Commerce

(Current at time of printing)

Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH)
1535 West Loop South, Ste. 200, Houston, Texas 77027, USA
Ph: (713) 624-7131, Fax: (713) 624-7132
e-mail: almamach@aol.com website: www.iaccgh.com
Contact : Somesh Singh, President Tel 713 624 7131
Jagdip Ahluwalia, Executive Director. Tel 832 746 8372

Greater Dallas Indo-American Chamber of Commerce
5930 LBJ Freeway, #350 Dallas, Texas 75240
Phone: 214-346-9559 Fax: 214-346-9521 www.gdiacc.org
Contact: A.K. Mago (Founding Chairman) or akmago@att.net
CC Theophine (Chairman) cc@kingfoodinc.com

Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (GIACC)
4780 Ashford Dunwoody Road Suite A-276, Atlanta, GA 30338
Ph: 678-230-3283, Fax: 770-381-9344
e-mail: info@giacc.org website :www.giacc.org
Contact: Dr. Ash Thakker (President) (770) 803 3001x24 athakker@globaltechinc.com
Suresh K. Sharma 404-321-5986 suresh1.sharma@gmail.com

Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Tampa
P.O. Box 20232 Tampa, FL 33622-0232
Ph: (813) 282-3600 Fax: (813) 282-3600
e-mail: info@indo-us.org  website www.indo-us.org
Contact: Dilip Kanji 813-287-0907 Ext. 540 Email: dilipkanji@yahoo.com
Minesh Patel - 813-417-4633 EMail: mpatel1@tampabay.rr.com

Indo-US Chamber of Commerce of NE Florida
4675 Salisbury Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Ph: 904-273-7333 e-mail: Infoserv@indousnefl.org website www.indousnefl.org
Contact: Sukhbir Singh(President) 904 880 1764 sukhpr@yahoo.com

India US Chamber of Commerce Inc.
3801 NE 207 St. STE. 1102 Aventura, FL 33180
Phone: 305-931-8257 Fax: 305-937-4909
Contact : Madhu Mehta (President)  presidentindiachamber@hotmail.com
Mehir Ashraf  Mehir1@hotmail.com

Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma (IACCO)
P.O. Box: 6909112 Tulsa, OK 74169
Phone: 918-665-6419 Fax: 918-665-0807 website http://www.iaccok.com/
Contact : Mukesh Shah ( President), Tel 918 835 1166 email: Mukesh@galaxy-1.com
Dr. Sada  Joshi ( Secretary), Tel 918 665 6419 email: sjoshi@joshitech.com
Jane Perkins   jane-perkins@sbcglobal.net