India wants suitable environment for exports
Commerce Secretary Dr. Anup Wadhawan noted Chinese Government’s efforts in clearing some of the market access issues such as for rice and rapeseed meal during the past few months and expressed satisfaction over progress on soya bean meal and pomegranate and related issues.
But he remained concern regarding the large trade deficit during a meeting with Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of China’s Commerce Minister, in Shanghai on 6 Nov 2018.
The Commerce Secretary was accompanied by senior officials from Department of Commerce, Department of Food and Public Distribution and officials from Embassy of India in Beijing and Consulate in Shanghai
Dr Wadhawan told Wang about the encouraging response to the business promotion events organized by the Indian Embassy and Consulates covering products like sugar, rice, tea and oil meals.
Dr. Wadhawan requested Wang to provide guidance to its importers to source these products from India.
He highlighted areas like agriculture products, pharmaceuticals, information technology services and tourism in which India has proven strengths and significant global presence but minuscule presence in China. This needs to be encouraged in bilateral trade, he added.
Dr. Wadhawan asked for guidance, facilitation, support and assistance to the relevant stakeholders for creating a suitable environment for India’s exports in these sectors to China.
Recently India and China had a series of official level exchanges to discuss the bilateral trade issues. After the successful Joint Economic Group meeting hosted by India’s Commerce Minister in March 2018 and attended by China’s Commerce Minister, both countries had two rounds of dialogues at the official level leading to resolution of some of the pending market access issues.
During this visit, the Commerce Secretary also had a detailed discussion with important sugar importers of China including China Sugar Association and briefed them about India’s sugar sector and its proven available capacity in terms of both, quality as well as quantity, to meet the Chinese requirements on a sustained long term basis.
Important players from Indian sugar industry including MD, NFCSF also attended related meetings during the visit. These meetings would be helpful in tapping this major import market for Indian sugar. fiinews.com
