CII mission to U.S. eyes opportunities in Iraq
Wednesday, 07 May 2003, 19:30 IST
Printer Print Email Email
NEW DELHI: Within a week of assuming office as president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Anand Mahindra left for New York Tuesday to explore opportunities for cooperation with American companies, particularly in the rebuilding of Iraq. With major contracts having been awarded to American companies, the focus of Mahindra's visit would be to seek a slice of the multi-billion dollar reconstruction work in Iraq, CII said. Mahindra, vice chairman and managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, is accompanied by CII director general Tarun Das. He will strive to "help set the stage for the next phase of the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue - a Track II initiative of the Aspen Institute's Aspen Strategy Group and CII," a CII statement said. During the May 6-8 visit, the team will meet several Indian and U.S officials to apprise them of Indian industry's keenness to participate in reconstruction work in Iraq. During a meeting with India's permanent representative to the U.N. Vijay Nambiar, the "focus will be on the reconstruction process in Iraq and the Indian industry's involvement in the process," said Das in a statement. The CII team will also be meeting former secretary of state Henry Kissinger and former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Richard Holbrooke. "As part of its continuing effort to facilitate dialogue at the highest levels, CII is organising a dinner for select CEOs of U.S. businesses, heads of think-tanks, senior administration officials, diplomats and academics on May 7," the CII statement said. The guest of honour will be National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra.
Source: IANS
siliconindia