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Chinese firms turn up in force at Indian fair
Like their ancient counterparts, they have come to the fair, trading nearly everything from silk to cigarettes.
But they have come a long way since the days of the traders of old. 'They' refer to 78 of China's leading companies, and the fair is the International Engineering and Technology Fair 2003 being held in New Delhi.
The Chinese firms are taking part in India's top business-to-business fair for the first time.
In fact, China has the privilege of being the partner country for the fair, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India's top business chamber.
'The range of Chinese companies with products on display is mind- boggling,' Mr Dilip Chenoy, CII's deputy director-general, told The Straits Times in a phone interview, speaking from the fair grounds in New Delhi.
They are exhibiting a vast array of goods - from space-frame structures to table napkins and silk fabric to cigarettes.
Thirty-five countries are participating in this year's fair, which is held every alternate year.
An added attraction this time is that the first Indian Infrastructure Show 2003 is also being held.
The fair, opened by Indian Minister of Disinvestment, Communications and Information Technology Arun Shourie on Wednesday, runs till today.
'Some people call it India vs China. But we call it India and China, India with China,' emphasised Mr Subodh Bhargava, chairman of CII's trade fairs division.
He has led his chamber's core group's delegation to Singapore for its annual meeting with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
The current fascination between China and India is mutual.
Bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to US$4.9 billion (S$8.56 billion) last year - up a sparkling 37.5 per cent over the previous year.
China's exports to India leapt 40.8 per cent, while Indian exports to the mainland rose by an equally impressive 33.7 per cent.
'China and India are the two fastest-growing economies in the world. It is possible to keep enhancing Sino-Indian trade by 40 per cent,' said CII president Ashok Soota.
China's Vice-Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Mr An Min, is leading a 400-strong business delegation to the trade fair.
The Indian organisers said they were highly impressed with the huge turnout from China, more so because the fair - which is usually held in early February - opened just after Chinese New Year.
Power-sector companies in China have a major representation at the event, with Shanghai Electric (Group) Company, Harbin Power Engineering Company and Dongfang Electric Company among those participating.
The Haier Group - which has a 30 per cent market share for refrigerators, air-conditioners, freezers and washing machines in China - is another major participant, eyeing the India market.
Other top Chinese products on display at the New Delhi fair include two-wheelers, pharmaceuticals, health products, machine tools, heavy machinery and construction equipment.
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