Gov. Murphy Opens NJ Office in India; Announces Tech MOU Deal

NEW DELHI, INDIA—New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, on an overseas junket to India, has announced the opening of the New Jersey India Center in Gurugram, India.

The opening of the New Jersey India Center kicked off the governor’s seven-day, six-city economic mission trip to India. Governor Murphy is the first governor in New Jersey history to visit India on official business.

“Today’s historic announcement charts a new course and effort to increase economic opportunities and build relationships between New Jersey and India,” said Gov. Murphy. “Expanding operations into India will further Choose New Jersey’s goal to attract global businesses to New Jersey. With this new office, we will be able to bring our state’s message of economic prosperity directly to India.”

India is one of New Jersey’s largest trade and investment partners, and Indian-Americans represent the largest group of foreign-born residents in New Jersey, state officials said. The New Jersey India Center will cultivate international investment opportunities in the Garden State and deepen cultural and educational ties between New Jersey and India, they added.

“New Jersey has long had a talented workforce with Indian roots, and bridging this gap to help top manufacturers, pharmaceuticals and start-up Indian companies grow in the United States is an incredibly beneficial venture for all,” said Jose Lozano, president & CEO of Choose New Jersey. “This historic office opening marks another success from our organization in creating a foothold for New Jersey as an economic leader on the global stage.”

T&A Consulting will represent New Jersey at trade conferences and business meetings, while undertaking lead generation and public relations/social media efforts. The office will serve as a one-stop shop, providing resources to Indian companies seeking opportunities in New Jersey.

Another agreement reached on the India trip is a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Association of Software and Services Companies with VentureLink@NJIT and Choose New Jersey.

The partnership aims to facilitate partnerships between New Jersey and India and will promote technology-based Foreign Direct Investment between the two regions as well as amplify global competitiveness between the companies operating in both geographies. The deal would also support collaborative research and development in areas of common interest between the organizations of these regions.

The MoU was signed by Shivendra Singh, NASSCOM, Jose Lozano, Choose NJ and Simon Nynens – NJIT on Monday in New Delhi. Labeled as the ‘NASSCOM Launchpad’, the partnership will create a 90-day complimentary soft-landing space to use as a home base in New Jersey for promoting business opportunities for NASSCOM member companies.

This will include a supporting ecosystem for enhancing flow of insights and developments on technology, innovation, investments, regulations and information from their specific regions. The partnership will also facilitate business partner match making and assistance with introductions with prospective clients and collaborative opportunities for member companies of all parties.

NASSCOM members will be made aware of strategic advantages, government policies and initiatives in New Jersey for collaborative opportunities as well as provide reciprocal services about the Indian IT industry scenario to VentureLink@NJIT members. Under the partnership, NASSCOM will also organize webinars and discussions to enable interactions between VentureLink@NJIT and NASSCOM members.

Speaking on the partnership, Debjani Ghosh, president, NASSCOM, said, “This is yet another milestone partnership for NASSCOM that will act as a prominent catalyst for the global expansion of Indian IT companies. As a country, India can further strengthen its potential as an innovation hub through more investments in research and strategic collaborations. It is our global initiatives and partnerships that will pave the road ahead and create an ecosystem that nurtures co-creation and innovative partnerships. We are confident that this association will create a win-win for both the sides.”

Gov. Murphy said of the MOU, “There is no better place for businesses looking to grow than New Jersey, and this partnership will give NASSCOM member companies direct access to NJIT’s impressive Venturelink Incubator, along with three-months free rent. We are thrilled that as many as 10 companies are already waiting to take immediate occupancy and we can’t wait to welcome them as partners in New Jersey’s innovation economy.”

The partnership will also involve Choose New Jersey as the interface between NASSCOM and VentureLink@NJIT wherein they will facilitate interactions and engagements between the organizations and two parties wherever required.