Indian businessmen feel 'at home' in China

<div class="section0"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="">NEW DELHI: Diplomatic relations apart, trade is booming between India and China. A market survey by TOI proves the point. Uddhav Sharda of Delhi Electrical Traders'' Association says 30% of goods sold in Bhagirath Palace and Lajpat Rai Market are of Chinese make. </span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">This claim is supported by ornamental lights dealer R N Kapoor: “I am visiting Guzhen, which is known as the City of Lights, since 1997.Initially, we used to be at a loss, given the language problem and lack of hotels. On my last vist, I saw that a five-star hotel has opened.�</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Increased travel to China has taught Indian businessmen several tricks of the trade. Hiring interpreters isn''t a good idea as they cut deals on the sly, apart from the 3-5% commission on purchases.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Indian restaurants are common, but they are expensive. So many of them have developed a liking for Chinese cuisine which is cheaper than Indian food. Many relish the taste of free trade behind what was once the Bamboo Curtain. “I visit Shanghai often, and despite the international look, people are traditional. We don''t feel lonely, because we keep meeting other Indian businessmen,� says medical equipment dealer Kanishk Anand. He''s planning to set up office in Shanghai soon.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Trade between the two nations is booming: from $7 billion in 2003-04, trade nearly doubled to $13.7 billion last year, beating all projections hollow. Now the target has been upped to $20 billion in the next three years.</span><br /><br /><br /></div> </div>