India to showcase IT might at China Services Trade Fair

BEIJING: Aided by Bollywood glamour, India will showcase its progress in IT and services sector at an international trade in services fair starting here tomorrow.

A 60-member Indian services sector delegation will take part in the 3rd China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), Namgya Khampa, Councillor for Trade and Commerce at the Indian Embassy here, said.

It also includes media & entertainment delegation accompanied by Bollywood actor Divya Dutta. Actor John Abraham who was due to come reportedly dropped out.

Dutta will interact with media and other Chinese participants followed by screening of the Chinese dubbed Hindi film 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' and 'Queen'.

This is one of the largest services sector delegation to visit China in recent years, she said in a statement. The delegation is represented by the verticals of Healthcare, Media and Entertainment, IT and Tourism.

These are priority sectors for cooperation identified by the inter-governmental Joint Working Group on Trade in Services led by Commerce Ministries on both sides.

Services sector is one the key area where India is pressing China to open up its markets, specially IT products, to address the trade deficit stretching to US 35 billion out of the USD 66 billion bilateral trade.

The Indian delegation includes Department of Commerce, and other Government Ministries like Tourism, DEITY and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of India.

Indian Business Delegation to CIFTIS is led by Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO, Viacom 18, a leading Indian world of Entertainment.

The leading industry representatives marking their presence are from Fortis, Max, Apollo, Viacom, Zee, Eros and IATO.
Eminent industry stakeholders are expected to engage in dialogue with Chinese counterparts, so as to lead to better understanding and stronger India - China Services Industry partnership, the release said.