Thursday, February 16 2006 12:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Stressing on competitiveness and a level-playing field, US President George W Bush has said that during his visit to India next month he will drive home the importance of 'fair dealing' in the two countries' expanding trade ties.

"I'm going to India at the end of this month, and I'm going to make it clear with the Indians, we look forward to trading with you, but just treat us the way we treat you; that's all we ask. The reason I say that is because we can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere, so long as the rules are fair", Bush told an audience in Ohio.

Ohio was Bush's latest stop in a series of visits to promote his American Competitiveness Initative which he announced in his state of the Union address last month. The proposal would expand basic scientific research in order to maintain US lead in technological development.

Bush also talked about uncertainty in the context of people in America changing jobs given the uncertainty in the economy, another theme he has touched on in recent weeks.

"There's uncertainty in this economy of ours. People are changing work a lot - that kind of creates a sense of uncertainty. People see China and India out there looming as competitors and the reaction with some is, let's don't compete, let's just kind of shut her down, let's get protectionist, or, why don't we isolate?"

"I have a different point of view. My attitude is, we shouldn't fear the future, we ought to shape the future. My attitude is, the United States of America must continue to be the leader in the world economy, for the good of our people", he said.

"Things are improving here in Ohio. The unemployment rate is still 5.9 per cent, but, nevertheless, the trends are in good shape. You've gone from 6.4 per cent to 5.9 per cent. Obviously, there's still work to do" Bush said stressing that manufacturers in Ohio wanted to be treated fairly in places like China.

He said from the US to be a leader in the world, "we've got to remain a leader when it comes to technological developments. So I'm proposing to the Congress an American Competitiveness Initiative, which will double the basic research in basic sciences over the next 10 years."

Secondly, he said, he recognises that "most research is done in the private sector, and yet the incentive for companies to invest in research, which yields technologies, which increases standard of living and makes sure our economy is on the leading edge, is through the research and development tax credit."