Emerging Markets grant to promote agribusiness trade with India
Released: August 19, 2004
A $220,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been awarded to the Global Business Resource Center (GBRC) to promote agribusiness trade with India. This prestigious grant is part of the Emerging Markets Program, which the university has received for the past three years.
Management professors Praveen Parboteeah, Choton Basu and project director Amy Coon helped secure the grant. “We got this grant again,” said Basu, “because we have shown solid results in increased imports and exports.”
“Our objective is to help agricultural companies in Wisconsin and the Midwest develop business and networking opportunities with Indian markets,” Coon explained. “We also hope to provide training to the farming industry in India to help enhance trade.”
This new trade relationship with India builds on the successful China trade program that was established three years ago. For the Chinese, Basu said, the focus was on pork and dairy products. India, however, is a “huge country with different needs.” Research so far has revealed potential products which include wine, raisins, nuts, fruits and more. Consequently, the program is targeting not only Wisconsin agribusinesses but other companies in the Midwest as well.
Sometime in the fall, a team of people from UW-Whitewater and qualified businesses will travel to India and meet with potential buyers. Then a delegation of 18-20 Indian agribusiness people will come to Wisconsin to explore trade opportunities.
For more information, contact EMP director Amy Coon at (262) 472-3260 or coona@uww.edu.
- N & P Staff,npa@uww.edu
