This is the VOA Special English Economics Report.
International trade does not just happen. It is the result of developing relationships and processes to ease the flow of goods and services. This week we spoke with David Good in Washington D.C. He is the chief representative for T in North America.
The Indian company T is part of the T Group, India's largest and best-known company. T wants to increase economic ties with the United States. That is what David Good's job is all about. He describes his office as an embassy for T in Washington. Mr. Good explains T's products and services to American businesses and government officials. He seeks to build trust and understanding. He also advises T on American laws and policies and provides information on business conditions.
Mr. Good learnt the skills he uses everyday working for the Department of State and the United States Information Agency. He spent thirty-four years in government before joining T. The T Group is made up of ninety-six companies that employ more than two hundred thousand people. T operates in more than fifty-four countries. Its companies run hotels, provide engineering services and business advice. They also make cars and steel among other things. The group's yearly sales are about twenty-two thousand million dollars, or almost three percent of India's total economic productivity.
T has expanded in the United States mainly by buying ownership shares in other companies. For example, T bought thirty percent of a New York based company that makes Vitamin water products. Expanding in America is good business for T. It also creates American jobs. Mr. Good says T employs about ten thousand people in this country. T continues to grow internationally. This week T Steel proposed to buy the British steel maker C Group. T also plans major investments in South Africa. T also is proud of its tradition of giving money to important causes. Two thirds of T is owned by charitable trusts that are part of T Group. The group says it gives about one hundred million dollars a year to support science, health and education in India.
And that's the VOA Special English Economics Report, written by Mario Ritter. Transcripts and archives are at . I'm Bob Doughty
