Rama Krishna Sangem
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government in India is giving a big boost to small and medium entereprizes in almost all sectors of industry,” said US India SME Council Chairman Sudhakar Gande while addressing the council’s annual gala event in Washington DC, the US on October 1, Tuesday night. The US India SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) Council also organised Incredible Inc 50 awards on the occasion.
Gande, Tech Entrepreneur, Investment Banker and senior BJP leader told the gathering at Washington DC, which included diplomats, business leaders and social activists that this is the best time for the US and India to collaborate in trade. Strong political will is there from both the sides. Both the US and India have maturity to see that their mutual interests are aligned, said Gande.
“India will emerge the No 3 economy in the world,” said he, outlining the measures taken in the recent Indian budget which allocated Rs 10,000 crore sops to the SMEs. Given this background, SMEs of both the countries need to understand that collaborating with each other is possible in the present scenario, he said.. .
The US-India SME Council’s *3rd Annual Incredible* *Inc 50 Awards Gala* was held on 1st October, 2024 at Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre, Maryland 20852, Washington DC, USA. US India SME Council CEO Elisha Pulivarti and a delegation of businessmen from India was there on the occasion. The council , through this awards, recognizes small and medium businesses in the both counties.
Big companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin always talk to each other, but there is no platform for small and medium businesses to interact among themselves. We at US India SME Council facilitate this opportunity so that these firms can sort out issues and improve their businesses,” said Gande. Through this, SMEs in the US can collaborate with big PSUs in India HAL and BHEL
Krishi GAP office opened in Maryland
Gande announced opening of office of Krishi GAP in Maryland, for enhancing the trade in agricultural produce between the US and India. Krishni GAP floated by Srihari Kotela from India, intends to improve the standards of quality in food exports from India and viceversa. Kotela and Gande also launched a Global Academy on Food Safety & Sustainability Standards in the US.
Gande recalled that as many as 18 MoUs were signed during a visit of Montgomery county of Maryland administration to India last year. KrishiGAP is one of the 18 firms. “With the opening of KrishiGAP office in Maryland now, that MoU has been translated into reality,” said Gande. “We are happy that US India SME Council has been facilitating these trade ties between the two countries,” he said.
Sudhakar Gande pointed out that in any country, SMEs account for 50-50 per cent of GDP and 60-70 per cent of the employment creation.
The event went off very well and was attended by distinguished personalities, namely Secretary for Higher Education, Mr. Sanjay Rai , Former Senator and Secretary, Ms. Susan Lee, Mr.Larry Web Director, Small Business and Mr.Marc Elrich , Chief Executive Officer, Montgomery County, Mr. Guru Charan Singh, Senior Advisor, World Bank, etc.
During the Gala event, 30 top emerging SMEs from India & USA and outstanding Individuals were presented with *Incredible Inc. 50’* *awards* Besides *President’s Lifetime achievement Awards and the Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award* were presented to select companies and high achievers for their outstanding contribution’s. Moreover, *Dr M.L Cherian’s Global Leadership Awards* were given away to a few select companies.
Gande honoured with Maryland Seal of Office
Gande was also presented with tbe prestigious Seal of the Office of Secretary of State, Maryland by Ms. Susan Lee , Secretary, Maryland. “Being the Founder Chairman of US – India SME Council, it was a proud moment for me to participate in the Gala event and i am very happy that the event was very successful,” Gande told Excel India, talking from the US. .
