Press Releases 2008

USTDA Grant Promotes U.S.-India Standards Cooperation

September 19, 2008

NEW DELHI - The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a grant of Rs.2.4 crore ($535,300) to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today to promote trade across industry sectors such as electronics, textiles, food processing, jewelry and auto components. This technical cooperation program will facilitate India's development of a transparent and more streamlined SCATR system based on market-driven, private sector-led approaches to global standardization.

U.S. Embassy Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs John Davison and USTDA Deputy Director General Sarita Nagpal signed grant document awarding funds to CII. The grant will strengthen the U.S.-India economic relationship by establishing an ongoing, self-sustaining bilateral cooperation forum that represents the broad interests of U.S. and Indian industry.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.