CII launches social media account in China to boost trade ties

The CII and the India Business Forum (IBF) in Shanghai launched a social media account on Friday to provide "meaningful" interaction between the Indian and Chinese businesses and to stay updated with the latest industry news and trends.

A Wechat account was launched at a ceremony attended by Prakash Gupta, Consul General of India in Shanghai, Sujit Chatterjee, Chairman designate of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-IBF China, Madhav Sharma, Head of Greater China and Chief Representative, CII China and Ravi Shankar Bose, Director of Fugu Mobile which provided the software backup. "The launch of the CII IBF Wechat App is a unique initiative of CII-Shanghai, which aims to bring together leading Indian industries in China on one common electronic platform," Gupta said at the function held at the Consulate General of India in Shanghai.

"While this is a unique and welcome step to adapt to one of China's most popular communication platforms, we do hope that it would also enable faster and greater sharing of information and success stories amongst local Indian CEO's on a real time basis, and thereby further promote Indian business interests in Eastern China", he said.

Chatterjee, who is also President, Tata Consultancy Services, China said "The CII IBF We Chat App is a great platform to stay up-to-date with the latest industry news and trends in China. It provides a meaningful opportunity for India and Indian companies to market themselves to the larger consumer group in furthering their commitment to the Chinese economy".

He said the CII-IBF Wechat account is in line with the growing social media trend in China, this will help us in creating greater awareness of CII in China and CII-IBF member companies amongst Chinese businesses. Sharma said: "It will showcase CII-IBF Members business interest in China leading to greater businesses, highlight opportunities for Chinese businesses in India under the Make in India initiative, highlight some of the latest policy updates, business development events both in India and China".

"I believe that this platform will help build greater two way communication between businesses ", a CII statement quoted him as saying. It said since the establishment of CII office in China in 2003, the number of Indian companies in China have grown substantially, therefore in 2009, CII China launched the India-Business Forum.

"The CII India-Business Forum aims to promote Indian business interests in China through collective approach. The CII-IBF also platform for members to meet with Chinese companies interested in doing business with India, Think Tanks, universities and other policy organisations of China. The forum also works in showcasing India and Indian industry, thereby building "Brand India" in China", it added.