House Resolution 32

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI UPON THE VISIT OF CONSUL GENERAL NAGESH SINGH, AND EXPRESSING BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN OUR IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, from February 27 through March 2, 2017, Consul General of India in Atlanta, Georgia, the Honorable Nagesh Singh, will visit the State of Mississippi to discuss the country's trade relations with our state; and

WHEREAS, India is Mississippi's 19th largest export market, and the value of Mississippi's tangible exports to India have grown steadily over the past few years, with a 30% increase between November 2015 and November 2016; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi leads all of the United States in the value of exports to India of tanning and dye extracts, overtaking Tennessee in 2015; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi is the 8th largest exporter of mineral fuels to India, largely due to petroleum coke exports; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi is the 10th largest exporter of medical instruments to India, with $38 million worth of products exported as of November 2016, a 493% increase from 2015, with the majority of exports being diagnostic and surgical devices as well as artificial joints and parts; and

WHEREAS, Jindal Tubular is Mississippi's largest Indian investor, and since their opening in August 2015 in Port Bienville Industrial Park, the company now employs nearly 200 people; and

WHEREAS, The Mississippi Development Authority is in the midst of organizing the state's first business development mission to India from May 1 through 9, 2017, with stops in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, in addition to others; and

WHEREAS, according to reports, India is projected to be the largest country in the world by population within the next decade; and

WHEREAS, India's economic rise and population growth will undoubtedly lead to more opportunities for collaboration with new partners, and it is important that our state not only maintain, but improve relations between us and India so future collaborations will benefit us both; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the important relations our state has with other countries, such as India, whose trade relations with Mississippi are of mutual best interest:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the trade relations between India and Mississippi, and extend best wishes for continued success in our important relationship.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to India's Consul General Nagesh Singh and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.