Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma has expressed optimism over the growing trade and investment relations between India and United States. Leading Senators of different provinces of the United States, met him yesterday. They discussed steps to enhance bilateral trade, with special focus on small and medium enterprises. India and the US have launched an initiative of integrating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of both the countries. This would create new opportunities and help large firms of both the nations in strengthening their commercial relationships. Both the countries have also established India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) to discuss trade and investment issues. The TPF is co-chaired by Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma and United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk. The issues and concerns are discussed under five focus groups including agriculture, tariff and non-tariff barriers, services, innovation and creativity and investment.