Mumbai: India and the US have signed the India-US Trade Policy Forum Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment, in Washington recently.

The framework was signed between Anand Sharma, union minister of commerce & industry and US trade representative Ron Kirk recently.

The framework seeks to build on the success of the trade policy forum by facilitating trade and investment flows between the two countries. Both the ministers also announced the launch of an initiative "Integrating US and Indian small businesses into the global supply Chain." This initiative aims to expand trade and job-creating opportunities for US and Indian small and medium-sized companies.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Sharma said, "We have recognized the contribution and potential of small and medium enterprises in our trade and investment agenda by adopting the SME initiative to create fresh opportunities for small and medium enterprises in both the countries and help in integrating them in the global supply chain."