BUSH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL TO LEAD TRADE MISSION TO INDIA
U.S. Aerospace Companies to Seek Trade Partners in New Delhi and Bangalore

U.S. Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary Joe Bogosian will lead a delegation of U.S. aerospace companies on a trade mission to New Delhi and Bangalore, India, March 22-26, 2004. The mission will help U.S. service and manufacturing aerospace firms explore business opportunities in India.

"The current business climate and aerospace needs in India offer many opportunities for U.S. companies," said Bogosian. "It's trade missions like this one that not only help U.S. companies succeed, but also add to overall global prosperity."

The delegation will visit New Delhi and Bangalore to gain first-hand market information. The participants will also meet with Indian government officials and potential business partners through mission events and a series of one-on-one meetings.

India has recently initiated economic reforms liberalizing access to the Indian economy. Liberalization of the Indian civil aviation market is expected to bring rapid increases in aviation capacity and improvements in service quality, thereby presenting U.S. firms with significant export and investment opportunities.

Indian airports are projected to handle 60 million international passengers, 300,000 tons of domestic and 1.2 million tons of international cargo annually by 2005. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has drafted an investment plan to develop six green-field airports in the country. AAI is also planning to upgrade existing facilities at 27 airports and develop 12 airports as model terminals. In addition, the AAI has drawn up an ambitious plan to modernize and expand its airspace management and infrastructure to meet the growth in demand that is projected for the next five years.

For further information on participation in the March 22-26, 2004 trade mission, please contact Sean McAlister at (202) 482-6239, fax: (202) 482-3113, or e-mail: Sean_McAlister@ita.doc.gov. The deadline to submit applications is March 1, 2004.