The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a Special Session with Mr. K V Kumar, Founding Chairman, Indian American International Chamber of Commerce (IAICC), Washington, DC, on 20th May 2019 in The Bengal Chamber Premises. The session was followed by Networking Cocktails and Dinner.

Mr. KV Kumar had been visiting India as part of Trade Winds Business Delegation, the largest annual U.S. Government-led trade mission and the idea behind organizing this Special Session was to brainstorm with Mr. Kumar on how The Bengal Chamber and IAICC can collaborate in facilitating B2B Connects, not only between the U.S. businesses and their Indian counterparts from the East and the North East, but also, how IAICC with the help of The Bengal Chamber can jointly connect with the larger East and South East Asian markets.

Prior to the Special Session, organized in the Chamber, Mr. K V Kumar had an exclusive meeting with Shri Alapan Bandyopadhyay, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home & Hill Affairs, Government of West Bengal and Industry, Commerce and Enterprises Department, Government of West Bengal and Smt. Vandana Yadav, IAS, Managing Director, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Limited and Secretary, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises & Textiles, Government of West Bengal on the 20th May morning at West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation. The meeting featured discussion on possible areas of collaboration between the Indian American International Chamber of Commerce (IAICC) and The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and how IAICC could provide a relevant platform to the Government of West Bengal for showcasing the State's value as an investment destination and particularly as a logistics hub for the entire South-East Asian market.

The Interactive Session was graced by Ms. Patricia Hoffman, U.S Consul General in Kolkata; Mr. B B Chatterjee, President Designate, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Deb A Mukherjee, Senior Vice President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Ambarish Dasgupta, Former President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Subhodip Ghosh, Director General, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with other senior members and stakeholders of the Chamber.

During the Session, The Bengal Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IAICC to provide business advisory services to medium and small enterprises of India and USA and to collaborate in facilitating B2B connects between American Businesses and its Indian counterparts from East and North-East Region.

Mr. K V Kumar mentioned that IAICC is very keen to open offices in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Dubai, Hong Kong and 30 chapters in United States itself. IAICC could set up a representative office in India in The Bengal Chamber premises and institute a Joint Council to address co-branded issues for stakeholders. Mr. Kumar also mentioned that West Bengal, being strategically placed, is ideal to act as a gateway to accessing markets in the ASEAN countries. At present, IAICC is working in four States in India where each State has made a Chamber of Commerce- a platform to create business links. IAICC works with entrepreneurs, professionals, businesses and Governments to develop entrepreneurship and commerce through training, seminars and networking opportunities.

Mr. Kumar also mentioned about IAICC Business Summit, in collaboration with NAVIKA 5th World Kannada Summit, which will be held from 30th August, 2019 to 1st September, 2019 at Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. He said that Senior Officials of Government of West Bengal and The Bengal Chamber would be invited to participate in the Business Summit at Ohio. Especially, Dr. Amit Mitra, Hon'ble Minister- in-Charge, Departments of Information Technology and Electronics, Finance, MSME and Textiles and Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, Government of West Bengal would be invited as the Chief Guest. The meeting is expected to be attended by Consul Generals of India in some of the major cities of US, business leaders and Government officials.