Bhopal, Warsaw keen on ties

Poland, Central Asia on Small units' agenda

Can Bhopal and Warsaw (capital of Poland) have a symbiotic arrangement, looking at each other as favourite destinations for exports? Small-scale units of Bhopal are interested in doing business with Poland, provided necessary support from both the countries' governments is available.

"We are interested in organising an exhibition of small-scale units in Poland. And, we are also focusing on Central Asia. A team of 45""50 members can visit those countries to exhibit Indian products," said R S Goswami, president, Madhya Pradesh Laghu Udyog Sangathan.

He recently led a team of small-scale industrialists from Madhya Pradesh to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.

There is tremendous potential in various fields that industry in general and small-scale units in particular can tap. This was the conclusion at an interactive session organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, here, on Tuesday.

"Madhya Pradesh industrialists can tap areas like cotton, cotton yarn, made-ups and apparel, pharmaceuticals, shallow mines, de-oiled cake, power, and railways," said Rajendra Kothari, resident director, PHDCCI.

Poland exports and imports a number of commodities from India, with which it has close economic relations for 50 years.

The Indo-Polish Chambers of Commerce and Industry reassured industry it would provide support in initiating dialogue with its counterpart in Poland, to identify areas of trade, for support in getting the visa, and related information.

"Poland offers good opportunities for an industrial area like Govindpura in Bhopal in respect of enterprises that want to enter into defence-related products," said Kothari, adding, "the export of spices is another opportunity for those operating in the agri-export zone in western Madhya Pradesh. It also offers an opportunity for warehousing because it is centrally located in Eastern Europe."

Automobiles, chemicals, earthmoving goods, and oil and natural gas, are other areas where MP and Poland can tap mutual potential.

"We are interested in supplying railway air-conditioning facilities. We have responded to a tender to supply 700""800 air-conditioning units for the railways in Poland," said S N Sharma of Daulat Ram Industries, a small-scale unit in Govindpura.

The Indo-Polish trade turnover stood at $295 million, with Poland's foreign direct investment touching $2.5 billion in 2004.

"The impression of the Poles about India has become very good after steel magnate L N Mittal took over steel companies there. There are ample opportunities for businesses in Poland. Herbal products, ayurvedic medicines, and de-oiled cakes are a few areas where Madhya Pradesh can take the lead," said M M Gogia, manager (projects and public relations), embassy of Poland (economic and commercial office).

The International Monetary Fund is positive about economic reforms in Poland. "Poland's economic growth is stable and fast, regardless of political changes," said Gogia.

Poland ranks high as India's trade partner among eastern European countries.