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India Trade Mission – Frequently Asked QuestionsIndia Trade Mission – Frequently Asked QuestionsIndia Trade Mission – Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen is the trade mission to India?The trade mission is November 9th through November 15th, 2008.The actual mission begins with the Welcome Reception on Sunday evening, November 9th. However, delegates to the mission who would like to visit Agra to see the Taj Mahal or go on other tours, should plan to arrive earlier. Why a trade mission to India?There are several reasons:- The economy. The India economy is booming. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, GDP increased 9.4% over the prior fiscal year. India’s growth rate is expected to be strong this year as well and for several years into the future. - A growing middle class. India has a growing middle class. A middle class has disposable income to buy products and services. - An attractive market for U.S. goods and services. According to the Department of Commerce, in 2005, U.S. merchandise exports to India were almost $8 billion. Over the next two years, exports increased to $10 billion in 2006 and $17.6 billion in 2007. Why should U.S. businesses be interested in this trade mission?India is booming! It is the world’s fastest growing democracy. The country’s trillion dollar economy grew by a remarkable 9.4 percent in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007. India’s economy is expected to grow at a strong rate in the current fiscal year. This impressive growth has made India one of the best performing economies in the world.Delegates on this mission will have face-to-face contact with pre-screened potential business partners and customers; access to government and industry decision-makers; see first-hand the enormous potential offered by India’s huge, high-growth market; and explore the India market under the umbrella of FedEx and the U.S. Commercial Service. Who should go on the FedEx India Trade Mission?This mission is designed for U.S. companies interested in expanding their international business. This includes both new and existing exporters interested in entering or expanding into the India marketplace.Where can one go to find out more information on the India Trade Mission?Information on the trade mission will be posted on www.fedex.com/thinkindia or send questions to tradeevents@fedex.com. For more information on the Commercial Service in India, go towww.buyusa.gov/india Will delegates need a passport or a visa?Yes. Those traveling to India must have a valid passport and also an India visa. Information on obtaining a visa is available on the Embassy of India in Washington DC site at: http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/default.asp. One must first have a valid passport and then apply for the visa. It can take an extended period of time to obtain a passport and/or visa for India. Therefore those interested in participating in the mission should begin the process early.Note also that U.S. airlines normally check for passports and visas prior to letting passengers on board for international flights. Delegates will also need to show their passport and visa when checking into hotels in India. What is the itinerary for the mission?The mission begins in New Delhi, continues on to Hyderabad and ends in Mumbai. The itinerary includes networking sessions with India business organizations, briefing sessions on the mission cities, one-on-one matchmaking sessions with pre-screened potential business partners, meetings with Commercial Service industry specialists, and international logistics briefings. It also includes site visits to, for example, a manufacturing facility, leading educational institution, financial center, and more.What should customers expect to pay for this trade mission?The trade mission participation fee is $3,485. The fee includes Commercial Service matchmaking sessions between U.S. businesses that attend and prospective business partners, agents, etc. identified for mission participants by the Commercial Service. The fee also covers rentals for the conference rooms, individual meeting rooms, catering for meals/breaks during the mission sessions, ground transportation to/from the site visit locations, and other common mission expenses. The participation fee does not include the cost of hotel rooms, transportation to, from and within India, meals outside of mission events, optional personal tours taken outside of the mission, and other personal expenses.Note that the Commercial Service is negotiating special rates for trade mission participants. However, mission participants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations and also their flight arrangements to, from and within India. What is the deadline to apply? What is the deposit deadline?The application deadline is July 15. The deposit deadline is August 8. The balance of the Participation Fee must be received by September 5.When potential delegates indicate they are interested in having the Commercial Service help them find business partners, distributors, agents and/or buyers in India, the search begins once the participation fee has been paid. In addition, service providers in India (hotels, transportation providers, etc.) want to know well in advance how many people to expect. November is a very busy time in India and hotel rooms are in high demand. Even though delegates are responsible for making their own hotel reservations, rooms will be blocked out for delegates as deposits are received. Does the mission include cultural tours in the mission cities?Mission participants are encouraged to work with the hotels in each city if they would like to go on a tour. Tours outside of the mission site visits are not covered in the participation fee. Delegates are expected to pay the hotel or service provider directly.Additional India eventsThe Commercial Service is offering a webinar, “Market Opportunities in India” on May 20, 2008. See |
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