Texas Governor to lead trade delegation to India next year

LOS ANGELES: Texas Governor Greg Abbott plans to take a trade delegation to India next year as part of his effort to increase the economic ties with the country and attract foreign direct investment from Indian businesses.

Abbott made the announcement in this regard during the first ever Diwali celebrations he hosted for members of the Indian-American community at the Governor's Mansion last week.

"This would be the first ever delegation of a Texas Governor to India. The Governor told us that before going to India he wants to make sure that his proposed trip to India would yield tangible results," said Ashok Mago, founding chairman of the Dallas-based US India Chamber of Commerce.

Padma Shri awardee Mago, an eminent Indian-American community leader, and P Harish, Consul General of India in Houston, were among those invited by Abbott for the event.

With an economy of USD 1.6 trillion, Texas tops among all the American states in terms of exports.

Mago said Indian companies have invested heavily in Texas in the last one year.

According to a recent CII report 'Indian Roots, American Soil', Indian companies last year invested USD 3.84 billion in Texas, thus making it the top Indian investment destination among American states.

In the process it created or supported 6,200 jobs in Texas.