(Image source from: YourStory)

The Vice-Chairman of Niti Aayog, a policy think tank of Government of India, on Monday called on Chinese business to look at India as an export destination from where they can sell their products to different countries.

Rajiv Kumar, at the India-China Economic Cooperation Forum, said: “We will welcome all export-oriented investment from China. I am also pleased to hear the kind of opportunities we can have for the Chinese investment in our infrastructure, in our railways, in our roads, ports, airports, everywhere, even in our real estate.”

Kumar said it is similar to American investment in China, which is all about exporting back to America.

“Now, it is time therefore for the Chinese companies for investment in India, make in India and the export from India, whether it is back to China or is to Africa or to the U.S., as these goods will go from India."

"And I think that's the investment that we are really looking for because that will be helping us both in terms of our economy generation to make in India and increasing our exports," he said.

Through this forum, the two countries - India and China made an agreement to determine non-tariff areas so that it becomes easier for the Indian companies to make inroads into China, Kumar said.

"In several areas, especially for India, like say for pharmaceuticals and IT, the market access to China is affected by procedures and licenses. So, we have agreed that we will look at these non-tariffs measures and try to address them so that we can achieve better market access," he said.

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Saying Chinese investors and businesses can initiate a discussion with Niti Aayog as and when they feel there are issues to be addressed, he also assured all kind of help by the Indian government to do business in India.

"I want to assure my Chinese friends and the Chinese companies...we have the CII, and the Indian companies can become the joint partners in JVs for bringing Chinese companies in India and making it easier for them, facilitate their entries.

"I can assure on my behalf, on Niti Aayog's behalf that if there is any time at all, any effort that is needed on the part of the government of India, do not hesitate to approach me. We will make sure that whatever stumbling block if you are facing, either in the central government or in the states, we will work towards get it removed and try to getting it addressed," said the Niti Aayog vice-chairman.

With government and industries working hand in hand, the two countries can easily reach the bilateral trade of $100 billion within the next two years, he emphasized.

"We can surely reach the target of $100 billion bilateral trade in the next two years. And I am sure that we will surpass the target of $20 billion foreign direct investment between the two countries in the fairly new future in the next two-three years," he added.

During the event, five Memorandum of understanding (MoU) was exchanged between CII and China Association of Circular Economy, China Datang Technologies and Engineering and Gujarat Electricity Cooperation, and Beijing Membrance Technology and Client Nature Tech Enviro Protection.

By Sowmya Sangam