News
News
www.asianhospitality.com
6 ASIAN HOSPITALITY FEBRUARY 2024
AHOA members in the U.S.
will now have access to more
workforce training opportunities
and products from India under the
new “Made in India” agreement made
with that country. The agreement came
about as a result of meetings between a
delegation of AAHOA board members
and Indian officials.
Bharat Patel AAHOA chairman,
Treasurer Kamalesh “KP” Patel and
others met with the Chief Minister of
Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel to
discuss the partnership, AAHOA said
in a statement. It includes:
Partnering with India-based
educational institutions to implement
training programs and skill-
development initiatives that will equip
young individuals to pursue successful
and global careers in hospitality.
Actively promoting, prioritizing and
providing support for the sourcing of
“Made in India” products, including
textiles, furniture, and plumbing
fixtures, for U.S.-based hospitality
businesses.
“With strong family ties and a
significant footprint in the United
States encompassing more than 36,000
properties, the AAHOA community
is uniquely positioned to showcase
the best of India to the world,” said
Bharat, who mentioned the program
in June when Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi visited the U.S. “Our
new initiatives aim to not only fuel
economic and workforce development
and progress, but to create a stronger
platform for the exchange of ideas and
innovation between the world’s leading
democracies.”
AAHOA’s statement cited reports
from S&P Global Ratings that India
will be the fastest-growing major
economy for at least the next three
years and could become the world's
third-largest economy by 2030. The
association said the partnership
“capitalizes on India’s growth and
influence in ways that provide
mutually beneficial outcomes for both
the U.S. and India.”
“As the world’s largest hotel
owners association, and with the
anticipated explosive growth of the
Indian economy, AAHOA continues
to expand its influence onto the
global stage,” said Laura Lee Blake,
AAHOA president and CEO. “AAHOA’s
extensive network and influence in
India create an ideal environment
to build upon trade and workforce
development initiatives that further
support our vibrant community of
Indian-American entrepreneurs,
providing them with resources and
solutions that will meaningfully impact
their businesses.”
AAHOA introduces
‘Made in India’ partnership
The agreement provides members access to Indian products and workforce training
AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel and Treasurer Kamalesh “KP” Patel, seated in the foreground, met
with the Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel and other Indian officials to produce the
association’s “Made in India” agreement that provides access to Indian products and workforce training.
During Indian Prime
Minister Narendra
Modi’s state visit to the
U.S. in June, AAHOA
Chairman Bharat Patel
and other officers
discussed increasing
ties with India with
Indian officials.