Delaware Governor to visit India to woo India Inc

Aiming to woo Indian companies to set up their US base in his state, Delaware Governor Jack Markell is leading a high-powered trade mission to India this week for discussions with the government officials and corporate houses.

During the visit, he will address a Nasscom meet and participate in a Google+ Hangout with students, an official statement said.

With stops in New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai, Markell during his 10-day India trip beginning February 10, would hold meetings with the top government officials and members of the corporate sector, besides addressing the annual Leadership Forum of National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) on February 13, it added.

"Indian companies continue to expand their operations in the United States, and we want them to know Delaware has an outstanding IT workforce. We are leading the country in developing cyber security personnel and have much to offer a prospective company," Markell said.

"We want international business managers looking to locate or expand their businesses to consider locating in Delaware," said Merkell, whose meetings also include those with manufacturers and health sciences companies.

The Governor's office said that Merkell will be promoting Delaware's high-caliber workforce, convenient location, and reasonable cost of living as he meets with several business leaders and their company representatives at the conference.

The Governor will utilise social media to stay in communication with Delawareans, his official said adding that he will participate in a Google+ hangout with students from DelcastleTechnicalHigh School, who are working on a project to learn about international social media and trade with India.

The class will communicate with people in Delaware and India over the next several weeks to encourage engagement via Twitter and Facebook.

During the Google+ Hangout, they will brief the Governoron their research results.

"Delaware has a world-class IT workforce and an exceptionally strong social media community," Merkell said.

"Social media is a way for our students and our broader community to raise Delaware's profile in India. I applaud their efforts to help us communicate beyond our borders," he said.

Governor Markell will be accompanied by Secretary of Transportation Shailen Bhatt and Felicia Pullam, Deputy Director for International Trade.

The University of Delaware president Patrick Harker will join the trade mission in Mumbai.