Murphy announces weeklong September trade mission to India

Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced a seven-day trade mission to India in September, aimed at strengthening ties with the state’s second-largest foreign direct investor.

Murphy will visit six cities as part of the trip, including Delhi, Agra, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. The visit will make him the first governor of New Jersey to visit India on official business, the Governor’s Office said.

The focus of the economic mission is to strengthen business ties with India, cultivate international investment opportunities here and deepen cultural and economic ties between the state and nation. Murphy noted in his remarks that New Jersey has the nation’s fourth-largest Indian community, at an estimated 420,000-plus residents — a number that also makes the Indian community the state’s largest ethnic minority group.

“As India’s role as one of our key partners continues to expand, we want to make sure we maximize the potential of our economic relationship,” Murphy said at the event. “I am excited to make the case for New Jersey as a leading investment choice for Indian companies, creating lasting partnerships and good jobs for our residents. We are proud to be home of one of America’s most deeply-rooted Indian American communities, and growing our economic partnership will only strengthen those ties.”

The news of the trip was first reported in April by ROI-NJ, when state Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan described plans during an Indian Business Association event.

Plans for the trip include meeting with key government and industry leaders, as well as visits to companies and official announcements.

The trade delegation will include Murphy, first lady Tammy Murphy, Choose New Jersey CEO and President Jose Lozano, Sullivan and other officials.

“We are thrilled to be part of Gov. Murphy’s economic mission to India in September,” Lozano said. “New Jersey is a leader in the life sciences, medical technology, clean energy and manufacturing, and we are the best place for international companies to do business. We look forward to strengthening our close cultural and economic ties with our partners in India during this trip, and attracting more businesses to invest in the Garden State.”

Added Sullivan: “In our increasingly interconnected world, driving international trade and investment is critical to making New Jersey a global competitor and building a foundation for long-term, sustainable economic growth. As the country with the third-largest (gross domestic product) in terms of purchasing power, India is already a formidable player in the international economy, and the country’s influence is only continuing to grow. Gov. Murphy’s trip is an important step forward that will pave the way for new business partnerships between New Jersey and India and bring more investment and jobs to the Garden State.”

Murphy announced the trip at an event presented by the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce held at the Spice Culture restaurant in South Plainfield.

Officials from the Somerset-based chamber — celebrating its 25th anniversary this year — presented Murphy with a “good luck shawl” and plaque at the start of the remarks.

“We are so honored that Gov. Phil Murphy has chosen the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce to announce his trade mission to India in September of this year,” chamber President Priti Pandya-Patel said in her introduction. “As a community leader, business owner and longtime resident of New Jersey, it is so remarkable that this administration has made extra effort to embrace the value of our Asian Indian Americans for their contributions in New Jersey as well as recognizing the strengths of the companies based in India. On behalf of the board of directors and members of the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce, we would like to wish Gov. Murphy and his team a safe and successful journey to India.”

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