Hyderabad – Senior officials representing the joint U.S. and Indian organizing team for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) addressed journalists in Hyderabad today, offering further insight into the program and planning process for the Summit to be held in Hyderabad from November 28-30.

Representing the U.S. government were Jennifer Arangio, Senior Director for International Organizations and Alliances at the National Security Council, The White House and U.S. Consul General in Hyderabad, Katherine Hadda. Representing the Indian side was C Muralikrishna Kumar, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog.

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) is the pre-eminent global entrepreneurship gathering, and it is being co-hosted by the U.S. and Indian governments in Hyderabad for 2017. This year’s summit will bring together 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem supporters from around the world for two and half days of training and mentoring sessions, networking, and investment matchmaking.

Speaking at the press conference, Ms. Arangio remarked “GES is an opportunity to showcase the United States’ world-renowned entrepreneurial acumen, underscore women’s economic empowerment, and foster economic growth and prosperity for our partners. When America’s partners are growing and prospering our world is more secure.”

Talking about this year’s Summit, NITI Aayog CEO Mr. Amitabh Kant said, “This is the first time GES is being held in Asia and we will make this the world’s best Entrepreneurship Summit so far, by enabling innovative solutions to the biggest developmental challenges. The best innovators and entrepreneurs from across the world are being invited to interact with investors for the benefit of societies at large.

The Government of India has already undertaken several initiatives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship such as Start Up India, Make in India, and Atal Innovation Mission, among many others. This GES in India is taking place at an opportune time and will open up a plethora of opportunities and networks for Indian innovators and entrepreneurs.”

The theme of this year’s summit is Women First, Prosperity for All and the American delegation to GES will be led by Ivanka Trump, advisor to the President.

“There are some 130 American companies here in Hyderabad, who in addition to creating jobs both here and in the United States, are always actively working to stimulate entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment,” commented Consul General Hadda, “I’m excited that we’ll be able to introduce even more American entrepreneurs and investors to this region. They will become yet another linkage in our ever-expanding partnership with India.”

This year’s GES will feature entrepreneurs from communities across the countries who are doing groundbreaking work. Hyderabad was chosen because of its strong presence of major U.S. and Indian tech firms, robust startup ecosystem, premier academic institutions, top-notch talent, and supportive government policies that encourage entrepreneurship.