PTI China Promises to Increase Indian Imports.

K J M Varma Beijing, Oct 22 (PTI) Amid a concerted campaign by India to provide wider opening for Indian products to address the trade imbalance, China today said it recognised the mounting trade surplus building in its favour and promised to increase Indian imports to address New Delhi''s concerns. China accepts that there is a trade surplus in its favour and want to address it by increasing imports from India, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Chong Quan told a meeting of the India-China business forum held at the Chinese city of Chengdu today.

Chong who is also Chinas Deputy International Trade Representative said Indian companies should be more proactive in exploring markets in China. If Indian companies invest more China, they can also sell more, thereby addressing trade imbalance, he said.

He also said the two countries need develop more convergence of interests and mutual trust is also essential to expand cooperation. The Chinese Ministers comments promising to address the yawning trade gap came as India launched a major business campaigns in the recent months in different cities to familiarise its strong business areas, specially IT, agro products, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods.

Indian Ambassador to China, S Jaishankar, who spearheaded the campaign during the past few months, expressed his happiness over the Chinese Ministers comments. "Market access is the key concern and greater awareness and openness of mind the urgent need.

We are getting assurances from the Chinese side; we are waiting to see this translated into actual business," he said. The imbalance has become a major issue as the trade between the two Asian giants is on course to touch USD 60 billion this year.

It already crossed USD 30 billion in the six months with Chinese exports having a lions share of USD 18.4 billion against India''s USD 11.9 billion. Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahay, who inaugurated the meeting held on the sidelines of the Western China International Fair in Chengdu, called for market access to India''s Basmati rice, vegetables, fruits and meat products.

"We have been negotiating for a number of years for market access for eight vegetables and five fruits," he said. The export of basmati rice awaits the expeditious completion of technical procedures.

"In the case of bovine meat to China, we hope that in the light of the changed situation in India, the current ban would be re-examined," he said. (More) PTI KJV.

Source : in.news.yahoo.com