Madurai :

A trade delegation from the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI) will be participating at the International Franchise Expo which would be held in New York from June 20 to 22. In wake of the preparations, Jennifer A McIntyre, consul general of the US consulate general and James Golsen, principal commercial officer from the consulate interacted with the members of the chamber on Thursday.

As many as 60 members from the chamber who are into various industry and trade will be visiting US during these days and participate in the franchise expo where 400 more companies from 100 countries are expected to participate.

Addressing the event, McIntyre said that US-India trade is expected to increase as the countries are to enter another treaty shortly. She assured help from the consulate for the members visiting the US.

Announcing various measures from the consulate to facilitate the visiting delegation, Golsen said that Mala Venkat, commercial specialist will accompany the delegation and render her expertise in the field. They will help them with entry, meetings with the desired companies, workshop and site visits. He also assured accessibility to industrialists, experts and politicians if required by the delegation. However, the delegation has to go through the regular procedures in the visa applications, Golsen said. Besides, they will organise a welcome meeting for the delegation upon returning where they can share the feedback of their visit to franchise expo, he said.

Senior president of the chamber, S Rethinavelu said that it is the first time, TNCCI is taking a delegation to the United States though they were contemplating such attempt for the last one decade.

N Jegadeesan, president of the chamber said the expo will be very helpful for entrepreneurs in Madurai. “The exposure towards 400-plus companies for franchising will be great experience and they are coming from all continents. There may be some companies in our neighbouring countries and we may not be aware of them. We can strike a deal of franchising with interested companies,” he said. The response to the delegation is overwhelming and they are planning to limit the numbers to 60. Lot of young entrepreneurs from the chamber are very eager to attend the expo, he said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / April 05th, 2013