Seeking to address India's concern over expanding bilateral trade deficit, the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday said that Beijing is open to more imports and will try to expand the prospects for Indian exporters. Addressing a gathering of Indian and Chinese Industry captains after his arrival in New Delhi, he said, China is ready to work with India to increase the scale, and expand the scope of bilateral business cooperation. On India's concerns on trade imbalance, he said, China takes its seriously and stands ready to take further measures to facilitate the access of Indian IT products, pharmaceuticals and agro products to the Chinese market. India had a trade imbalance of 19 billion US dollars with China in 2009-10. AIR correspondent reports that Indian businesses are inking 16 billion dollars worth deals with China's industry, whose representatives are accompanying Premier Wen Jiabao on his three-day India visit. With two-way trade between India and China poised to cross 60 billion dollars this year, Wen said that during his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he would discuss ways to enhance it further. He said there is enough scope for expansion of the bilateral trade as it accounted for a mere 0.2 per cent of the world's total trade. The Chinese Premier will hold delegation level talks with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh tomorrow at Hyderabad House. The talks are likely to cover trade imbalance, stapled visa issue, access to Indian companies in the Chinese markets and boundary question. Our correspondent reports that activities of Chinese firms in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and increasing military sales to Islamabad are also expected to be taken up at the high table. The two countries also decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for free flow of information and medical techniques with China Pharmaceutical Industry Association early next year. The Chinese Premier will be accorded ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday. He will also address Indian Council of World Affairs, spelling out his vision on India China relations. During his stay in New Delhi he will exchange views with other Indian leaders to strengthen bilateral partnership.
News On AIR | December 15, 2010 8:43 PM
China to facilitate access of IT, pharma & agro-products from India to Chinese markets