India mission a ‘resounding success’ : Gary Locke

Describing his India trade mission that took him to New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai as a 'a resounding success',  US commerce secretary Gary Locke said for some companies on the trip 'success' meant initial meeting or consultation with Indian government or business leaders that would lead to deals down the road.

''For others, success was more immediate with some companies leaving India on the cusp of making multi-million dollar sales. Either way, these companies have made important inroads into one of the most promising high-technology markets in the world,'' Locke said in his departure remarks.

He said the mission offered the US delegation access to key Indian public and private sector decision makers and opportunities to enter or expand their presence in this emerging market.

Yesterday, the US commerce secretary met the executive committee of the US-India Importers Council, an initiative that supports Indian companies that import goods and services from the US.

The Council seeks to advance president Barack Obama's National Export Initiative and to support the efforts of Indian companies that import products from the US, according to an official.

With economic growth projected at around 9.7 per cent in 2010, India is a key market for the Obama administration's National Export Initiative aimed at doubling US exports in five years.