130 Chinese agricultural traders evince interest in India

Over 130 traders of agricultural products from China met Indian business representatives and have evinced interest in doing business here.

In a seminar held here, high-level delegates representing agricultural products importers, exporters and government representatives of Shandong province of China exchanged views with Indian business representatives and expressed keenness on doing bilateral business, a statement said.

The seminar was hosted jointly by India-China Economic and Cultural Council and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).

The delegation from China comprised more than 130 business delegates, it said.

Agreements were signed between India-China Economic and Cultural Council (ICEC) and Ficci, and with the Commerce Department of Shandong province.

"This meeting will open a new chapter in business associations between Shandong, China and India. India and China are both developing and fastest growing markets. There is a lot of scope for further in-depth cooperation between China and India. I wish India and China have more cultural and economic association," Deputy Director-General of Shandong Commerce Department Lyu Wei said.

Counsellor Li Baijun of the Chinese Embassy said: "I believe that the economic cooperation between India and China can bring greater business prosperity across the world."

ICEC Secretary General Mohammed Saqib said: "While India-China business is concentrated on trade, the agriculture sector has been something that has not been explored so far, and we believe that mechanisation will be a big segment of India-China business associations."

Ficci Director General Ambika Sharma said: "We are here at the time when China and India as the first- and third-largest economies of the world are contributing one-fourth of the world's GDP and are discovering new potentials which have the power to define the new global economic architecture."

Ficci food expert Vijay Sardana said: "There is a huge opportunity of Chinese technology coming into Indian agriculture, thus opening doors for the betterment of economy of both the countries."

Deputy Director of Shandong Agricultural Department Lin Guohua said: "Shandong is one of the 13 main production areas in China. It is a major province for horticulture, processing and animal husbandry. Presently it is promoting the supply-side reform of agriculture deeply which will open better commerce opportunities for India in China."

--IANS

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