Indian companies bag Russian orders

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, JAN. 21. Indian companies bagged export contracts worth over Rs. 13 crores at an international trade fair in Moscow, in what is seen as one of the first successful tests of the Russian market after the 1998 financial crisis here.

The humble figure is no mean achievement considering a modest Indian presence at the huge ConsumExpo-2001, Russia's leading annual trade fair.

Apart from two invariable participants - the Tea Board and the Tourist Office, Government of India, which have offices here - just two Indian companies and the Small Industries Development Office (SIDO) took part in the fair, which drew hundreds of Russian and foreign participants.

This is the first time in four years that India participated in ConsumExpo. The India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) representative in Moscow linked this to the visit of the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, to India last October.

Mr. Putin's visit has given Indian businessmen greater confidence in the Russian market, said Mr. N.K. Sethi, ITPO resident director.

But Indian exporters who came to the trade fair were in for an unpleasant experience after they were asked by Russian customs to deposit several thousand dollars each to ensure that they would not sell their exhibits in Russia.

The SIDO delegation, which included 28 small firms, was not ready to pay and was forced to sit through the fair in front of empty stalls. Nevertheless, Indian participants said they did not regret coming here.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Next     : Islamabad fears fresh influx of refugees