US India CEO Forum Meets To Discuss Economic Ties

Formed in July 2005 at the invitation of President George W. Bushand Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Forum's mandate is to develop aseries of policy recommendations that will enhance the economicpartnership between the two countries.

"The United States and Indian business communities have recentlydeveloped a heightened mutual interest in forging closer ties. Membersof the private sector increasingly agree on many of the key policyissues. The US India CEO Forum can help reinforce to our respectivegovernments what can be done further to expand private sector ties,"said Ratan Tata and Bill Harrison.

"The need to continue the liberalization of economic policiesbetween the two countries is critical to building a strong businesscooperation. We are encouraged by the progress we have made to dateand look forward to presenting our recommendations to the Presidentand the Prime Minister early next year," they added.

Since its formation, the CEO Forum has undertaken extensiveconsultations within its US and Indian members and as a result a draftof the "Key Issues and Policy Recommendations" is currently underreview by the members. The group is comprised with ten private sectorleaders each from the two countries and will help to guide the work ofthe US - India Economic Dialogue chaired by Al Hubbard, NationalEconomic Advisor to the President of the United States and MontekSingh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Government ofIndia.

The US India CEO Forum is expected to share their report with therespective administrations during the first quarter of 2006 whenPresident Bush is expected to make a state visit to India.