Aimed at attracting investment from Indian companies and creating jobs in Virginia, the governor of the US state has embarked on a high-powered trade mission to India.
"International marketing missions are a critical component of Virginia's aggressive and pro-active approach to economic development. They provide the best opportunity to personally convince corporate leaders to invest in Virginia and bring jobs back for our citizens," Governor Terry McAuliffe said before leaving for an 11-day trade mission to the Middle East and India.
Virginia has a growing trade ties with India. From 2006-2015 Indian companies invested more than USD 150 million and created nearly 1,000 jobs in Virginia.
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Twenty-five Indian companies currently operate in the state. In 2014, India ranked 19th among Virginia's export destinations, totaling USD 230 million - up seven per cent from 2013, the governor's office said.
"International trade also plays a vital role in my strategy to build a new Virginia economy and mitigate the impact of federal defence cuts," he said.
"Our goal is to help existing Virginia businesses succeed in the global arena, and trade missions are a key component to reaching new markets, expanding existing ones, and building customers and revenue streams around the world while sharing Virginia's pro-business story," McAuliffe said.
The governor is accompanied by his wife Dorothy, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore and representatives of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Port of Virginia.
During his trip, the governor will meet with senior business executives and government representatives to bolster the export of Virginia goods and services, and promote Virginia's desirable business location advantages, a media statement said.
In 2011, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services secured a full-time trade representative in India and exports have climbed since then, reaching just over USD 6 million in 2014.
With its high rate of population growth and increasing size of its middle class, India remains a market with high potential for Virginia agriculture and forestry exports, the governor's office said.
India currently ranks as Virginia's 50th largest export customer for agriculture and forestry-related products.
