The Georgia-Indo American Chamber of Commerce will judge its success this year by the cross-border deals it helps facilitate, according to David Gault, the chamber’s new president.
Working with local companies like Transatlantic Sales LLC as well as partners in India, the chamber aims to go beyond networking to provide consulting services for India-U.S. business transactions in both directions.
Mr. Gault, a long-time logistics executive who has also worked extensively in China, believes India is the most hospitable of the fast-growing emerging markets for American firms, especially in key sectors like pharmaceuticals, technology, agriculture and infrastructure.
The chamber is to host an average of one event per month throughout the year, including its annual gala. On Feb. 26, it will hold a reception for Indian Consul General Ajit Kumar, whose arrival last year made Atlanta a key destination for Indian delegations and put the GIACC “first in line” in welcoming them to the Southeast, Mr. Gault said.
On March 7, the chamber is bringing in speakers from the Capital Group Cos. to discuss the nuts and bolts of investing in India during a seminar at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, said Mr. Gault, who spent five years living in Mumbai early in his career. He is now head of India business for Dachser Transport of America Inc., the subsidiary of a Germany-based international logistics firm.
In April, it will work with cross-cultural trainer Vicki Flier Hudson on an event helping employees understand how to work for Indian companies investing in the U.S. Ms. Hudson recently authored an e-book on how to to manage relationships with offshore teams in India.
The chamber is also hoping to attract 50 new corporate members and to institute a program for students, Mr. Gault said. It already counts Delta Air Lines Inc., Coca-Cola Co., Equifax Inc. and Nelson Mullins among its corporate members, among other big names.
Officers of the chamber include Ash Thakker, charman; Viren Mayani, president-elect; Sonjui Kumar, vice president and Unmesh Misra, secretary. New board members include Pavi Gupta of Coca-Cola and Chris Penslar of AON Group. See the full board here.
To learn more about the chamber or membership options, visit www.giacc.org.
