PUNE: As many as Five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth $100 mn were signed between Indian and Chinese businesses at the inaugural session of the Seventh China-India Forum on Saturday, based on a theme “Jointly shoulder responsibility of our times, promote global growth”.
The government of Maharashtra is the partner State of the Forum while International Business Linkages Forum (IBLF) and China’s Fortune Plus are its joint organisers with Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture as Supporting Partner. The Forum was organised with the cooperation of Chinese Peoples’ Association for Friendship With Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), China India Friendship Association (CIFA) and Podar Enterprise.
Maharashtra Minister of Tourism Jaykumar Rawal, Managing Director of Podar Enterprise Rajiv Podar, MCCIA President Pradeep Bhargava, IBLF President Dinesh Joshi, Economic and Commercial Counsellor in the Embassy of China in India Li Baijun, Vice President of Hebei Province People’s Congress Wang Huiyong, President of Jilin Province People’s Political Consultative Conference Jiang Zelin and Vice President of CPAFFC Lin Yi were present on the occasion.
Jaykumar Rawal said, “The two countries have a close bond, as they are among oldest cultures of the world, and business professionals from a variety of fields in both the countries have made their mark on the global scene. China’s engagement in the ‘Make in India’ initiative will benefit businesses of both countries.”
Rajiv Podar said, “India-China bilateral trade of $84 billion (2017) contains $10 billion worth of Indian exports to China and there is scope to increase India’s contribution by engaging in newer trade areas. The US ban on certain exports to China itself will create a sizeable business opportunity for Indian exporters.”
Two of the MoUs signed in the previous China-India Forum are close to becoming a real business relationship, he added.
Pradeep Bhargava said the Forum is an opportunity to expand the relations between the two countries and the time to begin the process is now. He dwelled upon the strengths of Pune as an investment destination as the city offers specialised skilled manpower across sectors.
Li Bajun said, “The bilateral trade between India and China has shown a 15 per cent growth in the year so far and is fast moving to touch the $90 billion level.”
