The Biotech and Healthcare Section of the TIE Atlantic chapter, coordinated by Dr. Dinesh Patel presented an informative session on government initiatives that can help businesses move ahead especially during troubled times. Elizabeth Ames, Cabinet Director for Economic Development along with members of her staff made presentations.Over 150 people attended the event.

“When the economy is doing well, it is best for the government not to interfere with business, but when the going is tough, it is very appropriate for the government to provide all the support it can. We are here to bring your government to you” said Ames. Governor Paul Cellucci appointed Elizabeth Ames as Director of Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in September, 2000. In this cabinet-level position, she is responsible for promoting and sustaining long-term economic growth throughout the Commonwealth. She oversees five state agencies including the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, the MassTrade Office, the Massachusetts Film Office, and the State Office of Minority and Women Assistance. Ms. Ames also serves as the Governor’s Senior Policy Advisor for Economic Affairs and Technology.

The presentation included informative sessions by Joseph J. Donovan, Director of Emerging Technology Development, Tom Hubbard of the Mass High Tech Collaborative and Maureen Harrington, of the Mass Trade office. The Mass High Tech Collaborative is a quasi public agency whose main mission is to establish beneficial connections and aid innovative high tech companies. “We often identify and bind together clusters of companies that help give them a business advantage. We also track federal funding and try to channel it towards Massachusetts companies that can directly benefit from them” said Tom Hubbard. The Office of Emerging Technology Development provides resources for companies including helping them with site selection, expediting the regulatory and permit process and tax credits. They have small business centers that can help small businesses in a variety of ways. Maureen Harrington, of the Mass Trade Office spoke about the support that the government provides for international trade. For over fifteen years, Mass Trade has assisted thousands of Massachusetts companies with international business interests. “We provide different forms of assitance. For example, we assist companies to present their products at the various international trade shows. In fact we are involved with “Medico” which is the largest medical trade show in Germany and would encourage companies to contact us if they are interested in taking part in that” said Harrington. She also presented export dollar numbers and it was interesting to note that Masschussets had exported $85.8 million worth of goods to India during the last year.

Elizabeth Ames conclude by urging TiE-Boston and members of the Indian-American community to think about how they may want to get involved to have an impact on government policies. “Policies made in a day can affect economy for years to come. So you must try to have a say in what is going on.”

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