$ 1.2 Million U.S. Grant for CII's Green Business Center

February 6, 2003

NEW DELHI -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on February 5 granted US $ 1.2 million to the Confederation of Indian Industry to develop its Green Business Center (GBC) at Hyderabad.

The Green Business Center, intended to become the focal point of energy, environment and efficiency issues in India, is being created through a public-private partnership between USAID and the CII, with significant contributions from the Godrej Corporation and the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Expected to be completed by September 2003, the GBC's design has been assessed by the US Green Building Council. It has been registered to be certified for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum award, making it the only building outside the US, and the third in the world, to earn this distinction.

Wednesday's signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Tarun Das, Director General, CII, Mr. S. Mukherji, Executive Director, ICICI Bank, Mr. Walter North, USAID India's Mission Director and several leading Indian CEOs. The grant will help the GBC implement its activities over the next three years, and leverage US $ 3.8 million from the CII and private sector resources.

Earlier, USAID assistance has enabled the CII, and the government of Andhra Pradesh to network and exchange ideas on green architecture with US entities such as the Green Building Council, the Green Business Council, and the American cities of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Oakland, California.