MINNEAPOLIS, MN: Indian Ambassador Arun Kumar Singh paid a three-day visit to Minneapolis, MN from August 2 to 4 to inaugurate the US-India Healthcare Summit and also meet MN Governor Mark Dayton besides other key economic officials of the State of Minnesota.
The Ambassador took time to interact with the officials of the University of Minnesota, leading US companies and members of the Indian Diaspora.
Governor Mark Dayton hosted a meeting held at his St. Paul residence in honor of the visiting Ambassador and the meet was attended by several key economic officials of Minnesota, including Ms Katie Clark-Seiben, Commissioner of Trade and Laurence Reszetar, Director, FDI, Minnesota Trade Office.
Ambassador Singh briefed the Governor on the growing strategic and economic convergence in the bilateral relations between India and the United States following two visits by President Barack Obama to India, the last one being as the Chief Guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2015, and the landmark visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to USA in September 2014.
Ambassador Singh mentioned about the several initiatives that are being taken by the Government of India such as ‘Smart Cities’, ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’ and ‘Clean India’, including reforms in the business, investment and financial sectors. He invited the Minnesotan companies to take advantage of the huge opportunities thrown open in India in all these sectors in general and the medical sector, including R&D and manufacture of high-tech medical devices and renewable energy in particular.
Ambassador Singh also highlighted the growing Indian investments in the United States adding that Minnesota figures among the top five states in which the Indian companies have invested over US $1.8 billion.
Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed mentioned that the total trade between India and Minnesota increased by nearly 40% from $ 296.624 million in 2013 to $ 416.29 million in 2014. India has now emerged as Minnesota’s second biggest export partner among all BRICS countries with exports from Minnesota to India almost tripling from $86.9 million to $ 321.9 million in 2014. Last year alone witnessed a 70% percent increase in exports from Minnesota to India.
US-India Healthcare Summit
The US-India Healthcare Summit, held from August 3 to 5 at The Commons Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was organized by the India Chamber of Commerce, USA in partnership with the Consulate General of India, Chicago.
The Summit attended by about 150, was inaugurated on August 3 by Ambassador Arun Kumar Singh jointly with Lt. Governor of Minnesota Tina Smith. In attendance were Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India in Chicago, Dr Edward Ehlinger, Commissioner of Health, Minnesota, Dr Patricia Simmons, Board of Regents at the University of Minnesota and Seann Nelipinath, Chairman of India Chamber of Commerce, USA.
The Summit was also attended by Government officials, medical practitioners, global healthcare business leaders, medical device companies, pharma companies, researchers and service providers for the healthcare eco-system from US and India.
The theme of the Summit was to bring together all the entities that contribute to the overall delivery of healthcare with the main focus on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and public health. The Summit was also aimed at integrating the ‘Make in India’ concept with healthcare expertise in Minnesota.
On August 4, Ambassador Singh delivered a Keynote address at the Special Plenary of the Summit: Government Circle/CEOs Circle during which he emphasized on the need for building strong partnership between Minnesota and India in the field of healthcare in view of the synergy existing between the two sides in this key area. He also pitched for the need for integration of the ‘Make In India’ concept with healthcare for mutual benefit of both countries.
Meetings with CEOs of US Companies & University On August 3, the Ambassador met with CEOs of US Companies over a Breakfast Round Table at the Minneapolis Club, which was hosted by the India Chamber of Commerce, USA in partnership with Greater MSP-Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership & the Economic Club of Minnesota.
During the meeting, which was attended by Michael Langley, CEO of Greater MSP, Timothy (Tim) Penny, Founder, Economic Club of Minnesota, besides CEOs of US Companies like Mosaic, Thrivent Financial, Amplifon, Century Link, ECOM & HealthOne Association, the Ambassador highlighted the vast opportunities existing in India in different sectors for the US companies.
Later the Ambassador visited, the UnitedHealth Group (UHG) and had discussions with President David Wichmann and other Board members of the company.
The Ambassador also visited the University of Minnesota and had detailed discussions with heads of various departments and key faculty members. Dr Brooks Jackson MD, Vice President and Dean of Medical School, Dr John Finnegan MD, Dean of Public Health and Dr David A. Rothenberger, M.D., Jay Phillips Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota hosted a lunch in the Ambassador’s honor.
Community Outreach
The Indian-American Community in Minneapolis hosted a grand reception in honor of the Ambassador on August 2. During his keynote address the Ambassador lauded the 44,000-strong Indian Diaspora in Minnesota for their valuable contribution to the state and for acting as a useful bridge between the two countries.
India Post News Service
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