Contact: Tom Thieding, 608-267-9661 tom.thieding@wedc.org
Link to Release: http://wedc.org/india-trade-mission
MADISON, April 20, 2012 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is leading a business delegation to India April 22-30, focusing on sales to India’s rapidly expanding water and waste water market. The mission is in partnership with the Milwaukee Water Council, BioForward and U.S. Department of Commerce. The mission is funded in part through a grant award with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Targeted industry sectors for this mission include water technology-related products and services, pollution control equipment and water purification systems.
“The Indian market, and its one billion plus population, presents lucrative opportunities for Wisconsin exporters of water technology related equipment and services,” said Paul Jadin, CEO/Secretary of the WEDC. “Wisconsin companies will find opportunities in sanitation, urban water supply improvement, rainwater capture, and municipal waste treatment, with additional opportunities in providing consulting and design services to the Indian water industry.”
Jadin said Wisconsin, particularly Milwaukee, with more than 130 water technology companies, has become a national leader in water technology. The WEDC has partnered with the Milwaukee Water Council to establish the Water Research and Business Accelerator Center. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is home to the first School of Freshwater Sciences in the nation. The Great Lakes WATER Institute, the largest freshwater research institute on the Great Lakes, is also based in Milwaukee.
The trade mission will visit New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, a major industrial hub. The mission includes market briefings, facility tours of leading Indian firms and municipal agencies, business appointments with potential customers and distributors, and attendance of the Aquatech India 2012 trade show. The trade mission will also provide market intelligence on exporting, investment, and R&D.
Wisconsin’s exports to India in 2011 totaled $344 million, up 46% over previous year. India was the #34 export destination for Wisconsin products in 1996, and had risen to #14 in 2011. Wisconsin exports to India grew by 591% over that time period. India’s purchases from Wisconsin are dominated by industrial machinery, medical and scientific instruments, electrical machinery, vehicles, and articles of iron or steel.
Participants in the India Trade Mission:
* Aquarius Systems, North Prairie: Jane Dauffenbach, President and David Dauffenbach, Vice President – Engineering
* ASA Analytics/Applied Spectrometry Associates, Inc., Waukesha: Bernie Beemster, President
* Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County: Connie Loden, Executive Director
* Sweet Water Foundation, Milwaukee: Shajan M. John, Research Fellow for Global Localization
* Xela Innovations, LLC, Glendale: Todd J. Muderlak, President and CEO
* Milwaukee Water Council: Mr. Dean Amhaus, Executive Director and Julia Taylor, President of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and member of the Milwaukee Water Council Board of Directors
* Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: Paul Jadin, CEO/Secretary, Lora Klenke, Vice President – International Business Development, Stanley Pfrang, Market Development Director and Jennifer Winner, International Event Manager
