The Hindu Business Line : `Stiff policies deter Americans from doing biz with India'

Mr Kenneth I. Juster (Right), Under-Secretary, Department of Commerce of the US, during an interaction session along with Mr Kapil Kaul, Regional President, IACC- EIC, at the Annual General Convention of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, East India Council, in Kolkata on Wednesday. — Parth Sanyal

Kolkata , Oct. 13

AMERICANS still believe that the major hurdles for entering the Indian market are high tariff and non-tariff barriers, multiple layers of taxation and poor physical infrastructure among others.

This was stated by Mr Kenneth I. Juster, Under Secretary of Commerce of the US Government, at the 34th annual general meeting of Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.

He was trying to dispel some views of a member of the chamber. According to the member, the Americans are not eager to export their products and services as they have a huge domestic market.

Reacting to it, Mr Juster said, it is a wrong impression. "We are pro-export and we would like to increase our exports further. However, as a member of the Government, we do not tell the companies where to do their business," Mr Juster said.

He felt that the Americans are not eager in doing business with the Indians because of several reasons. They are tariff and non-tariff barriers, heavy taxation, low protection of IPR and poor infrastructure.

"Despite several restrictions, our trade with the Chinese are higher than our trade with the Indians. It proves that if the market is accessible and attractive, then individual companies would certainly do business," he said.

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