A delegation of small and medium enterprises (SME) has reached Washington DC to strengthen trade cooperation and to explore business ventures between Indian and US SMEs, said CII in a press release on Tuesday.

The inaugural meet of the India-US small and medium enterprises (SME) Forum is being held in Washington DC on Tuesday in partnership with the US-India Business Council

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organizing a Business and Trade Mission to the US from September 20 to 24, with the objective of strengthening business and trade cooperation between the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) between India and the US as the next wave of economic growth is likely to stem from the SME sector.

The 25-member strong delegation, led by TT Ashok, Deputy Chairman, CII Southern Region and Managing Director, Taylor Rubber Ltd., comprises of delegates drawn from the manufacturing, aerospace and defense, energy and clean technology sectors. They will visit Chicago, Washington DC, Indianapolis and Cincinnati and meet with over 400 companies and organizations, with the objective of identifying trade and investment opportunities, joint ventures and potential partners to develop linkages with.

In Chicago, CII and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs are jointly organizing the "2nd Annual US-India Business Opportunities Summit", being addressed by  Anand Sharma, Minister for Commerce and Industry on September 20.

The inaugural meet of the India-US SME Forum is being held in Washington DC on September 21 in partnership with the US-India Business Council.

On September 22, the delegates will meet with Senator Richard Lugar, Ranking Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and receive a briefing on trade and investment from the US Department of Commerce.

Additionally, they will learn of business opportunities arising from climate change, at a panel discussion jointly organized by CII and the World Resources Institute. CII is also working with local partners including the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to host a business conference in Indianapolis on September 23, which will be addressed by the Mayor of the city and the Indiana Secretary of State.

On September 24, a business and networking conference is being organized in Cincinnati in association with the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, India US Business Alliance and the Ohio Department of Development. The delegates will visit Purdue Ameriplex Technology Center in Indianapolis and TechSolve Technology Center in Cincinnati to explore the scope of technological collaboration and share best practices.

"This is a mark of our deep commitment to strengthening US-India economic relations," said Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII.

"Our business delegation has come with a message of partnership. Our companies are keen to consider joint business initiatives and work on economic revival and job growth in both countries together."

The Mission, organized in advance of US President Obama's visit in November this year, also coincides with the CII CEOs delegation, led by Hari Bhartia, President, CII and Co-Chairman and Managing Director, Jubilant Organosys.