Speeches & Articles

Remarks by Consul General Beth A. Payne
At Launch of the Muslim Business Council of India
American Center Kolkata
June 18, 2009

June 18, 2009

- Mohammad Ariff, General Secretary, Muslim Business Council of India
- Noman Rushdi, Vice President
- Sikander, Assistant Secretary
- Syed Mohammad Imran Niaz, Treasurer
- members of the governing board
- other members of the Muslim Business Council
- distinguished guests of honor, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen

Assalaamu alaykum

I am very pleased to be here today to support the Kolkata Chapter of the Muslim Business Council of India, including the launch of its new web site.  This is an exciting and important initiative and I commend all of you for your efforts in creating this forum.  The Muslim Business Council will provide a common meeting place for members of the Muslim business community to network, share ideas, and to prosper.  I understand that the Council already has chapters in New Delhi and Lucknow, and is looking to expand to Mumbai and Chennai soon.  More than 500 businesses are already members.  I am sure that the Kolkata chapter will help the Council continue to grow throughout India.

One of the Council’s main objectives is to coordinate with international companies and representatives, with the United Nations, and with the Organization of the Islamic Conference.  The Council aims to foster solidarity across many sectors and industries.  Working together, members will seek agreements among Indian economic organizations, Western business associations, and various business associations of Islamic countries.  Muslim businessmen and women flourish in the U.S. and I hope we can help the Council establish stronger ties with the U.S. Muslim business community.
 
In the United States, we have a proud tradition of support for minority-owned businesses at the federal and state levels.  Through our State Department, we champion U.S. small and minority-owned business interests in the Department's acquisition process.  We provide these businesses with training and counseling about doing business with the Department of State in order to expand the base of small and minority-owned business firms doing business with the Department.
 
Small and minority-owned businesses are the economic backbones of many of our states.  They inspire innovation and create economic opportunities for our citizens and our communities.  State governments that reach out to minority and small businesses and ensure, for example, that they have equal bidding opportunities for public contracts, widen the circle of prosperity.  As an example, in 2005, the governor of the state of Oregon signed into law three bills that strengthen the link between the state and small businesses.  Minority and female small business owners benefitted from the expanded access and opportunities outlined by the law, and many are weathering the current economic downturn thanks to this legislation.

I hope that the Muslim Business Council of India, following its own model, can have similar successes.

I am particularly honored that the Council has chosen the U.S. Consulate’s American Center as the venue to launch the Kolkata chapter of the Muslim Business Council of India.  This is a symbol of President Barack Hussein Obama’s commitment to forge stronger ties with Muslim communities around the world.
 
As you are well aware, you are forming this new chapter in the midst of a world economic crisis and hopefully by working together you will ensure the success of Muslim business despite the economic downturn.  The U.S. Government is committed to stabilizing the world economy and has already implemented bold comprehensive actions to restore growth, improve market regulation, and strengthen international financial institutions.

In Cairo earlier this month, President Obama said, “we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere.”  As a major world economy, the United States recognizes the need to work together with partners across the world to create opportunities for prosperity and ensure free, transparent, and fair competition.  We have a responsibility in ensuring the smooth functioning of the international financial system and the steady growth of the world economy.

It is clear that to really make a difference over time, growth must be sustainable, and it must be inclusive.  A forum such as the Muslim Business Council of India provides a structure for minority-owned businesses to meet, share information, and work together to develop strategies that further investment, business prosperity, and commercial successes.  We at the Consulate support your goals of economic inclusion and creating more opportunities for more communities throughout India to realize dreams of growth.

So, in that spirit of shared partnership, prosperity, and progress, I once again congratulate Mr. Ariff and your collaborators on your launch of the Kolkata chapter of the Muslim Business Council of India.  I know that you have many ideas on how to expand upon your organization’s past performance and I look forward to working with you over the coming years!
 
Shukriya!