1. Introduction of CII-BIS-ANSI Standards Portal

2. “ The International Language of Commerce is Standards” “Standardization has become the playing field on which competitors meet in the race to succeed in domestic and global markets”

3. Indo-US Trade Indo-US Trade Indian exports to US were USD $18.692 billion during Apr 07 – Feb 08. US is the ranked no.1 destination for India’s exports. It constitutes 13.09% of total India’s exports. Indian exports to US were USD $18.692 billion during Apr 07 – Feb 08. US is the ranked no.1 destination for India’s exports. It constitutes 13.09% of total India’s exports. During 2007 - 2008, Indian exports to US increased by $1.7 billion (an increase of 9.93% over previous year). During 2007 - 2008, Indian exports to US increased by $1.7 billion (an increase of 9.93% over previous year). US is ranked no. 4 (11.52% share) in terms of India’s imports. There was a growth of 57.7% of India’s imports from US during 2007-08. US is ranked no. 4 (11.52% share) in terms of India’s imports. There was a growth of 57.7% of India’s imports from US during 2007-08. Standards and Conformity assessment influence 80% of all exports to US. Standards and Conformity assessment influence 80% of all exports to US.

4. Need of the Standards Portal Indian SMEs have increased their competitiveness as well as international business contacts but overall remain under- represented in the international trade. Indian SMEs have increased their competitiveness as well as international business contacts but overall remain under- represented in the international trade. Indian companies, regardless of industry sector or level of sophistication, need access to definitive informationrelating to: Indian companies, regardless of industry sector or level of sophistication, need access to definitive informationrelating to: –The Standards, –Regulations, and –Conformity assessment mechanisms.

5. Tripartite MoU between BIS, CII and ANSI (20 Dec 2007) BIS, CII and ANSI have agreed to facilitate the sharing of information on BIS, CII and ANSI have agreed to facilitate the sharing of information on –Standards, –Conformity Assessment, –Technical Regulations, and –Other trade related information in India and USA. BIS, CII and ANSI have also agreed to cooperate and establish Indian and US content on a ‘US-India Standards Portal’ BIS, CII and ANSI have also agreed to cooperate and establish Indian and US content on a ‘US-India Standards Portal’ Commitment by BIS, CII and ANSI to facilitate the sharing of information with the aim of enhancing Indo- US trade. Commitment by BIS, CII and ANSI to facilitate the sharing of information with the aim of enhancing Indo- US trade.

6. Composition of the Standards Portal Single opening web page giving details of the objective of the Portal with brief overviews of BIS, CII and ANSI. Single opening web page giving details of the objective of the Portal with brief overviews of BIS, CII and ANSI. Hyperlinks to the web-sites of BIS, CII and ANSI, and to other relevant organizations in India and USA including Hyperlinks to the web-sites of BIS, CII and ANSI, and to other relevant organizations in India and USA including –Standards development organizations (SDOs) –Bodies engaged in conformity assessment, –technical regulations, –govt organizations, –industry associations, and –trade promotion organizations. Each organization to additionally develop new resources in support of the Portal. Each organization to additionally develop new resources in support of the Portal.

7. Benefits of Standards Portal Provide users with access to the existing information included on the US Standards Portal (www.standardsportal.org); Provide users with access to the existing information included on the US Standards Portal (www.standardsportal.org); Help companies in respective countries to understand each other’s market requirements (standards, conformity assessment and technical regulation); Help companies in respective countries to understand each other’s market requirements (standards, conformity assessment and technical regulation); Understand the differences between Indian and US market requirements; and Understand the differences between Indian and US market requirements; and Advocate for harmonization and other policies that would facilitate their access to and competitiveness in both markets. Advocate for harmonization and other policies that would facilitate their access to and competitiveness in both markets. Facilitate trade Facilitate trade

9. THANK YOU