Ahead of India’s 75th Independence Day next week, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce (GCOC) and the Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (GIACC) formalized a partnership agreement to collaborate and promote business opportunities between India and Gwinnett.
“This agreement is the Gwinnett Chamber’s fourth Memorandum of Understanding this year,” said Gwinnett Chamber’s Past Chair, Tammy Shumate. “We are excited to continue growing our partnership opportunities and reach throughout the Metro Atlanta region.”
The Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce protects, develops, encourages, promotes and fosters trade, business, financial or professional interests and commercial relations between India and the United States, including specifically Georgia.
“The Georgia Indo American Chamber welcomes this opportunity to collaborate with Gwinnett Chamber to encourage networking, advocacy, and business development for our memberships,” says Anita Ninan, 2021 Board Chair, Georgia Indo American Chamber of Commerce. “Gwinnett county is home to a significant percentage of the Indian diaspora and several Indian owned businesses in greater Atlanta. GIACC hopes this MOU will further promote and foster business opportunities between India and the state of Georgia, which is the primary mission of GIACC.”
The Consul General of India in Atlanta, Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarni, was in attendance and shared that over 30,000 Indian Americans proudly call Gwinnett their home. State Senator Sheikh Rahman, also in attendance, noted that according to 2020 U.S. Census data released earlier that day, Georgia experienced a 53% increase in the Asian American Pacific Islander population.
In addition to furthering collaboration, the agreement includes partnering on at least two events per year that will help connect members of both chambers. The Georgia Indo-American Chamber has a seat on the Gwinnett Chamber’s board of directors, and it is currently filled by Pabs Raghava, CEO of Tours Limited and GIACC board member.
“We are lucky to have Pabs represent GIACC on our board. Earlier this year, both our chambers co-hosted a networking event at her residence, bringing together a small group of our board members and local elected officials,” said Nick Masino, President & CEO, Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett. “We look forward to more opportunities to cross collaborate and support our members.”