Q- What is the importance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Canada 2011?
It is an excellent conference to bring awareness, engagement and economic opportunities for bilateral and multilateral trade with India.
Q- What potential outcomes do you expect from PBD Canada?
I expect outcome of building Global Prosperity through Leadership, Networks and Innovation. This will be very beneficial for India's future growth and economic prosperity and Canada will also reap the economic and social gains.
Q- How is PBD Canada going to be different from the PBD held earlier this year in New Delhi?
I believe PBD in New Delhi was more focused on India and various states of India and the investment opportunities for NRIs from across the globe. I believe in PBD Canada, there is a shift of focus to Global opportunities for bilateral and multilateral trade which is going to be two way opportunity rather than one way.
Q-How successful have been the Indian Diasporic community in moulding India as an economic superpower?
I strongly believe that the Indian Diaspora has been very engaged and instrumental in contributing to India's economic success as a super power. They have been the best unofficial Ambassadors of India in promoting good will, business opportunities, tooting that India is the largest democracy- for business purposes (unlike China which has dictatorship). They have done so by earning their place. Like an eagle soaring to new heights, homeland countries earning the highest respect by proving themselves as cream of India by their hard work and successes achieved. Not only have they been successful in their own growth, but they have been involved in the economic growth of the countries they live in; along with actively participating in politics, and policy making to make a difference.
Q-As you have worked with Bush and Obama administration, can you compare US' trade relations with India during both the governments?
"We start with a view of India as a growing world power with which we have common strategic interests. Through a strong partnership with India, we can best address any differences and shape a dynamic future"- George W. Bush
During the Bush administration the Indo-US relation just started to take a turn that it had never before, a cordial hand of friendship extended by United States towards India. The credit goes to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for skillfully embracing this friendship amidst challenging situations in India, most of which were opposing his efforts. President Bush too made an aggressive move towards opening doors to India which eventually led to signing of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal between the two nations.
President Obama took it to the next level immediately affirming the two nation's convergence by his immediate visit to India following PM Singh's visit to the United States. He is the first President to appoint numerous Indians to key positions not only to his Cabinet but also in Advisory roles to various important councils of various departments.
This led to a proactive focus on bilateral trade between the two nations. President Obama's recent trip to India, (I was a part of that delegation) was a strong signal given by any US President that more opportunities abound. The economic downturn in US turned into an economic opportunity for India very quickly which in turn helped in improving the relationship between the two nations. For both the nations, Coming Together is only a beginning, Staying Together will be progress and Working Together will be success!
Q- How far has the NAC on Minority Business Enterprises been successful in achieving its goal?
We have just taken our oath on March 11th 2011 in Washington DC administered by United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. Our next meeting will be on June 24th in Houston, Texas where we will start forming the sub committees to start our work and we are ready!
Q- Has the gap in the revenue earned from minority-owned and non-minority-owned firms decreased? Explain with statistics.
No, there is a disparity among the various businesses. That is why this council is formed after 70 years again, to look into the growth and policy making of the several million minority businesses.
Q- Why do you think that SMEs and MBEs are going to pump up the development scenario around the world?
The SMEs and MBEs are the backbone of this nation. For example, there are more than five million minority owned businesses, approximately $1 trillion in gross receipts and employing more than 5.9 million US citizens. They are the ones that will churn the global business opportunities.
The SMEs and MBEs is where the future economic opportunities lie. SMEs and MBEs will churn the economies of both the countries for the next 30-40 years and the global opportunities lie in the two tier and three tier cities, (we call them satellite cities here) and not the saturated metropolitan cities.
Q- How is your organization helping in strengthening the minority-owned firms to bring them into the larger picture?
The National US India Chamber of Commerce is identifying global opportunities, facilitating bilateral trade and joint ventures with the right partners. The chamber's strength is the high level relations we have in India and the United States with the political and business leaders. MBEs do not have the resources they need to do the due diligence, the market research needed to evaluate if India is the market for them to embark upon. NUICC finds partners, distributors, dealers and representatives for MBE company's products and services. NUICC develops business plans and strategies that introduce MBEs successfully into the Indian marketplace. NUICC leads trade missions to India and the US, including those with state delegations and corporate leaders. It also delivers programmes that feature speakers who focus on US-India opportunities. NUICC also trains MBEs on Indian and US cultural awareness, including sales and marketing practices, negotiating, international trade laws and regulations, and human resources management.
Q- What is EB5 programme? Why are you hooting for it?
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme
A key focus of the National US India Chamber of Commerce (NUICC) with its thrust to promote bilateral trade among the United States, India and various other countries is to connect foreign nationals with investment opportunities in the United States.
NUICC is committed to ensuring that foreign nationals make well-informed decisions and develop ventures that result in profit, produce jobs and benefit the global economy. Therefore, through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, we are committed to providing assistance to foreign nationals and their families who seek to invest in and permanently live and work in the United States.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program encourages foreign nationals to invest in US-based commercial enterprises that provide at least 10 full-time jobs to US workers (aside from the foreign national and his or her immediate family) and result in economic expansion. The commercial enterprise might be new or a troubled business, with the required investment of $1 million. However, if the investment is located in a targeted employment area (TEA), then $500,000 is the minimum investment required.
Foreign nationals are also required, as executives, to play an active role in the management of the commercial enterprise, either in its day-to-day operations or in the formulation of business policies.
The United States, in turn, provides the foreign nationals and their immediate family with the prospect of living and working permanently in the United States as lawful residents or green-card holders through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor visa, which is available to 10,000 individuals annually.
For foreign nationals wanting to invest in and permanently live and work in the United States, they can contact NUICC to discuss the various opportunities, options and services that are available.
NUICC is promoting this because it is a win win program for Indians as well as Americans. For Indian folks that are not able to otherwise qualify to come to US because of being rejected for a tourist visa or a business visa, this gives them a legit permanent entry into the United States to contribute to the US economy, take advantage of this program in fulfilling their dreams for their families in this great nation- the land of economic opportunities!
Story courtesy: http://www.pravasitoday.com
Purnima Voria..Purnima Voria is the Founder and CEO of the National US India Chamber of Commerce (NUICC), an organization formed to build bilateral trade between United States and India through business relationships. NUICC is recognized as one of the top international business organizations where members meet with visionary business and government leaders from the United States, India and other countries, become actively involved with the larger business community, and learn how to help their companies better compete in the new, dynamic global economy with the enhanced growth of U.S.-India trade relations. The membership of NUICC spans across a wide spectrum of industries, with direct membership strength of over 9,200 people worldwide.
An international business advocate, Ms. Voria is an International business owner, freelancer, educator, motivational speaker and a U.S.-India expert, and mother of three very successful daughters. She is also a business consultant to small and large U.S. corporations and industry trade associations and helps businesses market and source their products and services in India; qualifies local partners; provides a road map for businesses that are entering the Indian marketplace; provides legal, taxation and regulatory help; and offers in-company training workshops. Ms. Voria participates in many local, national and international activities.
Nationally, Ms. Voria has been appointed by Secretary Gary Locke, U.S. Department of Commerce to serve as an Advisor to the Obama Administration on the National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprises for a two year term to shape future policies and programs that will set the foundation for the growth of $100 million companies across all industries that are owned and operated by U.S. minorities.
Ms. Voria has also served on President George W. Bush’s 2005 Presidential Commission and was a member of his 2006 Presidential Business Club, providing valuable business policy and trade expertise. That same year, she was awarded a Congressional Medal of Distinction for her outstanding leadership in business and her contributions to the United States economy. In 2005, The Wall Street Journal honored Ms. Voria as a Business Woman of the Year. She was also the Honorary Chairman for the National Republican Congressional Business Advisory Council and received the 2005 Ronald Regan Republican Gold Medal for her acumen as a local business leader. Adding to her stellar community service record, Ms. Voria serves as an Ambassador for Peace and is a contributing member to the United Nations Association of the United States of America.
In Colorado, where the National US India Chamber of Commerce is headquartered, Ms. Voria was selected to serve on both Governor Owens’ and Denver Mayor Hickenlooper’s Asian Advisory Councils. She is actively involved in Chamber of Americas as a strategic partner, and served as the President of Indian Association of Colorado. An internationally recognized speaker, Ms. Voria has been featured on BBC World News –London as a commentator on climate change and the role of various nations’ stances on the issue. She also participated in Voice of America TV and Radio’s thought provoking discussion entitled Global Women’s Empowerment. Furthermore, she was featured on India Today, a leading magazine, and spoke on the importance of Non Resident Indian’s role in contributing to the rise of India as an economic superpower, The Times of India, India Abroad, The Denver Post, The Denver Business Journal and the Colorado Today Television show. Ms. Voria travels frequently between the United States and India, promoting businesses and consulting for corporations and industry trade associations. She also travelled worldwide to China, India, Israel, New Zealand and other countries as Keynote Speaker for Global CEO Business Conferences.
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