County Leaders and Business Owners Return from India (PHOTOS)

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett led a business delegation on a visit to India with the goal to broaden Montgomery County’s reach in biotech, other high-tech areas, and to address culture, education, and economic development.

The delegation visited New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and returned to the U.S. on Nov. 22. from a trip that lasted approximately one week.

During the trip, Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Floreen sent daily updates to MyMCMedia. Upon her return, Floreen said the trip was “very successful.”

“I think we’ve made improvements … [and] economic relationships. … That was my primary objective on going on this trip” she said.

The last update from Floreen came on Friday, Nov. 21, where the councilmember said the delegation is “wrapping our development trip in Bangelore.”

“Another tremendous day, this time connecting with Indian businesses with a presence in Montgomery County,” she wrote.

Floreen added that business expansion, training, and public private partnerships were on the minds of representatives from Infosys, Emmes Corporation, Stand Life Sciences, Montgomery College, and LifeSci Village.

“A very worthwhile day and a grand conclusion to a breathtakingly successful trip,” Floreen wrote.

On Nov. 20, Floreen wrote the delegation visited Amritsar to meet with elected officials, educational leaders and business people. She added it was a “fascinating day.”

On Nov. 19. Floreen wrote that the delegation “received word” about the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises – ABLE – a leading Indian biotech trade group – interested in locating in the east county’s Life Sci Park, which according to the councilmember is the focus of “our new White Oak Master Plan.”

“And there is great interest from other biotech companies as well. A VERY good day for Montgomery County,” she wrote.

On Nov.17, Floreen sent an update stating that the delegation had a “terrific” weekend in Raipur. County officials were briefed about the new city and met with India’s Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, local business leaders and officials and toured a local university that is contracting with Montgomery College for workforce training.

“It’s all about international collaboration!” Floreen wrote.

On Nov. 14, Floreen wrote the delegation had a meeting with Mohammad Mojit Hussain, Mayor of Hyderabad, to learn about India’s economic issues.

Floreen added it was a “huge” day for the delegation. They visited Hyderabad‘s “knowledge park” with Montgomery County companies while connecting with India bioscience entrepreneurs, cutting the ribbon on Gaithersburg’s Syscom Technologies’ new space in “High Tech City”, and signing the Sister Cities agreement with the city’s mayor.

“[Hussain] has an aggressive economic development agenda,” she wrote.

You can find more information about the delegation’s business trip to India on the county’s website here.

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

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