TROY – Automation Alley is accepting applications from companies to participate in its upcoming trade mission to India, from Oct. 10-20 to visit the cities of Bangalore, Chennai, New Dehli and Pune.
Southeast Michigan companies interested in attending the trade mission must be export-ready and conduct business in one of the following industries: Industries to be targeted on the trade mission include: automotive components and systems, alternative energy applications, environmental and pollution control technologies, machine tools, medical devices and equipment, as well as IT and manufacturing software applications. The application deadline is September 7.
“Automation Alley is dedicated to helping Southeast Michigan companies prosper by providing assistance in developing international trade relationships,” said Ken Rogers, executive director, Automation Alley. “India is primed with unrivaled trade and investment opportunities for Southeast Michigan companies who offer products and services with global demand.”
India is second only to China as the world’s fastest growing economy. Companies worldwide have invested billions of dollars in India to take advantage of one of the world’s largest untapped consumer markets including an emerging middle class of 300 million people that is fueling demand for Western products.
“The opportunity in India is particularly acute in the automotive industry where demand for new vehicles will continue to grow exponentially in the foreseeable future,” said Noel Nevshehir, director, Automation Alley International Business Center. “India is home to globally competitive, world-class conglomerates, and there’s great opportunity for Detroit’s automotive and technology industries to tap into international partnerships for market growth.”
Southeast Michigan companies interested in attending the trade mission must be export-ready and conduct business in one of the industries noted previously. All Automation Alley trade missions include the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Gold Key Service, which provides pre-screened, pre-qualified meetings based on a company’s goals and objectives.
In addition, Automation Alley and U.S. Department of Commerce staff work closely to provide assistance to trade mission participants before, during and after the mission. The cost to attend is $7,995 per person and includes airfare, hotel, ground transportation, matchmaking meetings and other travel-related expenses.
Automation Alley uses funding received from the Michigan Strategic Fund Board to support international business development through trade missions and business attraction meetings aimed at exporting products and services rather than jobs. Under its agreement with the Board, Automation Alley’s International Business Center will conduct two trade missions per year, over a three-year span. Automation Alley also uses the funding to support the outreach and growth of technology-based businesses and professionals throughout the state and will continue to brand Southeast Michigan as a global center for technology.
Past trade missions to China, Central and Eastern Europe, Mexico and Germany have garnered more than $23 million in local contracts for the region. Last November, Deputy Secretary of Commerce David Sampson awarded Automation Alley a Certificate of Appreciation for Achievement in Trade.
For more information on the trade mission or to apply, please contact the Automation Alley Resource Center at AutomationAlley.Com
