“We are looking at finding business partners and building business internationally. We want to create opportunities and jobs for our architects, in India. It is a dynamic time for the US-India relationship,” said Mikey Jacob, First Vice-President, American Institute of Architects. According to Dean R. Thompson, US Consul General in Kolkata, this was one of the largest trade delegations to visit Kolkata since 1999.
The purpose of the mission was to introduce American firms to India’s rapidly expanding market for architectural and engineering services and to assist them in pursuing export opportunities in the sector. The firms will meet government officials, industry officials, as well as officials from West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Thompson said. Targeted sectors holding high potential for US architectural firms include master planning, regional and neighborhood design, as well as architecture for ports, hospitals, healthcare facilities, airports and other transportation infrastructure.