Notwithstanding China's superior infrastructure facilities, top Indian exporters say they have a clear edge over their Chinese counterparts in the areas of technology, design and service and could compete globally with them.
"China has an advantage in the area of automation. However, Indian companies have a clear edge over their Chinese counterparts in technology, design and services," managing director of Deccan Hydraulics Pvt. Ltd., B G Ramakrishnappa said.
Ramakrishnappa, who is currently visiting China for the first time as part of a Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), told PTI in China's commercial capital that his first impression is that the Indian industry was clearly ahead of China though India has not been as successful as China in conquering the global export market.
Deccan Hydraulics, based in Karnataka, which exports hydraulic cylinders, control valves used in earthmoving vehicles and automobile, hydraulic jacks, power take-off units of tippers and dumpers has a "bright future" in China, he said, adding that he would return to China to finalise plans for entry into the huge Chinese market.
Senthil Kumaar, Director of Nafal Leder Garments Pvt. Ltd., who brought a suitcase full of leather samples, including different colours of suede, said that the technology used by his Chennai-based company was superior and has received good initial response from Chinese buyers.
The FIEO delegation led by its Northern Region Chairman, Dr R K Dhawan took part in three buyer-seller meetings in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai and attracted a number of eager Chinese buyers and exporters.
Director, commercial, Micro-Tech CNC Pvt. Ltd., G Murali Babu, who exports automotive components, diesel engine components, hydraulic valve components said the China trip has been an eye-opener and the Tamil Nadu-based company was looking into exporting to China as well as importing some items related to the auto sector.
Director of Aquarius Overseas Pvt. Ltd., Ashok Agarwal, who mainly engages in trading, is keen to commence imports as well as exports to China. Agarwal, who has stayed in neighbouring Vietnam for some seven years, hopes that he could make a decent start soon.
The Delhi-based company which engages in a variety of exports related to railways, leather goods, textile produces and electrical items and imports bulk drugs, agro chemicals and household electrical products, hopes to venture into China to source products, Agarwal said.
B R Chandak, President of Calcutta-based Bangur Brothers Limited, which is a leading jute and jute products exporter said his company was keen to export to China where synthetic materials are used mostly in the packaging business.
Managing director of Manu Yantralaya (P) Ltd., Mahendra Kumar Banthia said he could meet with many Chinese producers who basically wanted to export to India and the visit has enabled him to have a better understanding of the Chinese market which is world was talking about.
Banthia, whose Jaipur-based company exports bearing components, ball bearings and base mountings is keen to find a market in China and also imports a number of machinery.
General manager of Sancorp Eurobase Limited, a Nagpur-based joint venture which exports gum base for bubble gum and chewing gum, Sanjay Kesheo Parmanand said that the purpose of his China visit was basically a 'study tour' to understand the Chinese market and if possible meet with local counterparts.
