August 29, 2010 | Yvonne Lim Wilson
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Days before India celebrated Independence Day, Sanjiv Arora, Consul General of India, paid a visit to Austin addressing business leaders. The meeting was hosted by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce on August 13 at the Headliners Club downtown.
Arora remarked on the significance of the date and location and focused much of his speech on the economic ties and opportunities between our two nations. The Consul General, whose office is based in Houston, represents nine southern states from Texas to Florida.
“Coming two days before the world’s largest democracy celebrates its 64th Independence Day ... let the headline of the morning and of our future engagements and business collaborations be: ‘India, a business destination,’” he said.
With much in common in terms of values and democratic system of governance, Arora went on to talk of India’s achievements, challenges and economic goals. India currently boasts an 8.5 percent GDP with projected rates of 10 percent in the next few years, Arora said. Comparatively, the U.S. GDP is at 2.4 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
“The Indian economy is led by domestic demand,” Arora said. “We have a 35 percent domestic savings rate. A lot of companies are using india for research and development, not just outsourcing.”
As a state, Texas accounts for 14.5 percent of the U.S.-India trade. India also represents the largest international group of students studying in the U.S., more than 100,000 students, according to Arora.
“We are working to develop institutional linkages between the two countries,” Arora said.
Ben Ramirez of the City of Austin’s International Program said that India is a natural fit with Austin-based business.
“We’re very excited about this visit from the Consulate General. Technology, clean energy and wireless are the three main [industries of] focus, and that matches very well with Austin’s existing industries,” he said.
Indian community leaders in Austin are eager to meet with the Consul General, said Ram Matta of TiE Austin, a non-profit group supporting entrepreneurs.
“The Indian population in Austin is rapidly growing, but nowhere near the presence [of other ethnic groups]. From Round Rock to South Austin, Indians are everywhere,” Matta said.
Asian Americans are projected to make up nine percent of Austin’s population in the next ten years, said Matt Curtis, Communications Director for Mayor Lee Leffingwell, adding that the Mayor has been attending several Indian events in the last few weeks.
“We are part of a global community and we need to work to further advance that,” Curtis said.
Since joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1984 Consul Arora has served in various capacities in India’s Diplomatic Missions in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Germany and Czech Republic. Before coming to Houston in November 2008, Consul General Arora was Head of United Nations (Political) Division in Ministry of External Affairs.
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