Foreign Trade.

Foreign Trade.


Recently, China signed a deal with Russia to invest 1.5 billion US $ in construction, timber, agriculture and other industries in Russia. In all, eight projects were signed by China Investment Forum. It envisages Chinese companies investing 1.3 billion US $ into building a housing complex in St. Petersburg. The Russian and the Chinese delegation also laid the corner-stone for the Baltic Pearl Complex which will house 35000 families in the first phase of the project. Russia is a quite rich nation now. For the last few years, prices of crude-oil have sky-rocketed beyond imagination.
With the prices of Crude-oil 52 $ a barrel, Russia has en-cashed on this price-hike. It came out of economic collapse it faced a few years ago. Russia is the second largest crude-oil producer in the world after Saudi Arabia. Now Russia is a spending-master, eager to make projects for the benefit of its people.
Everybody thinks about China, either from a risk perspective, or from an opportunity perspective. Many countries have established a foothold in China, or are in the process of entering the Chinese market. There is considerable risk factor involved. If its economy were to stall its way into hard-landing, the big hit to other countries would come indirectly by a decline in global commodity prices. In fact Chinese merchants risk trade retaliation unless the Yuan currency is un-pegged from the US $. It is a fact that the Yuan is greatly undervalued and it has given the Chinese exporters an unfair advantage in world-trade. There is continuous pressure from the western countries on China to re-value its currency vis-a-vis the US $. China's stock-phrase reply is " We will see."
Western countries believe that emergence of China as a Super-power is a threat to the world-peace.
They also feel that regardless, China will surely soon dominate the world. Its rising military strength is also a problem. It is spelled out at length in the latest issue of Atlantic Magazine.
" When power relationships are correctly calibrated, wars tend to be avoided.
Only a similarly pragmatic approach will help to accept China's re-emergence as a Great
Power. "
China joined WTO in 2001. It had promised to allow member states to restrict imports of Textiles
and wearing dress,etc of Chinese goods if such imports threatened to disrupt their markets. China conveniently disregarded all his commitments and reports indicate that it has dumped
hundredfold shipments of T-shirts, cheap hosiery articles and flax yarn in the western countries.
In the area of Footwear also, China has dumped in a triple-digit leap shipments of footwear
into western countries. Average price for a pair of cheap leather shoes from China is 3 US $. The Europe countries and the USA say that they can not buy even, the raw materials for one pair of shoes at that price. Forced labour has helped China to accelerate its production output in each and every field to an unimaginable extent. USA and the European Union have been negotiating with China to up-value its Yuan currency and stop unfair trade practices otherwise they would be constrained to slap sanctions and/or impose import duty on Chinese goods. Chinese reply is as usual a stock-phrase. "We will see." No action thereafter whatsoever.

In light of what is stated above, it will be in the fitness of things, to be very guarded in dealing with that country especially when we have tripled our trade with that country within the last few years.
Our country is committed to eradicate poverty and gain economic development at a faster speed.
It will be necessary to assess every proposal made by that country very critically with pros and cons in all sides before finalising any deal with that country. A.M.D.G.

Sanghai Expo 2010.

Shanghai World Expo.2010.
Motto. :Better City, Better Life.”
80 million visitors are expected to visit.
Area. 5.3 km (double the size of Monaco)
Participants are 180 countries and 50 organisations.
It will hold 20000 cultural programmes in six months.
Standard Day Ticket. 160 yuan = US $.20.
Runs from 1st May to 31st October 2010.

General overview of the Expo is an inverted pyramid in crimson colour hangs
at a height of 65 meters which overshadows the newly built 200 structures.
The theme of the Expo is urbanisation, with motto, ”Better City, Better Life.”

In the center of the Expo is the Chinese Pavilion of design of ancient crown of China.
The pavilion depicts the art and progress of China in all areas, built at a cost of US $ 220.

Next to the China Pavilion is Saudi Arabia pavilion built at a cost of US $ 165
which is shaped like a giant Oil Barge and includes trees of date palms, the Mecca mosque, and a giant screen depicting video pictures of royal family and Chinese leaders.

The 3000 sq.meter pavilion of the UNO with motto “One Earth, One UNO”
resembles the conference room of the UNO building at New York, with
192 chairs with flags of member countries on each chair.


The French Pavilion features works of French Art from the Musee d’Orsay in Paris
and will host various cultural items during the period of coming six months.

Poland will have daily Chopin Recitals through out the period of six months.

Japan Robots will play violin daily all throughout the period of the six months.

Taiwan Pavilion depicts and displays marvellous liquid electronic views.

England’s pavilion “Seed Cathedral” is a six story cube structure designed by Thomas Heathwick.

USA’s pavilion bears theme “ Rising to the Challenge.” depicts story of American
HI-tech history.


Russia’s pavilion reflects scenes of comfortable life in the eyes of children moving through different sections of Russia depicting progress and prosperity under Putin.

A combined pavilion of 42 African countries hosts a picture of life, culture and achievements due to strong ties with China.


German pavilion presents the light weight Bayer polycarbonate sheets used to build an entire German city with a city square, roads, gardens and a harbour. These light weight
sheets have revolutionised life, and shall replace heavy materials like steel, glass, and other fibre sheet material used these days in construction and other fields.

The Indian pavilion is housed in a 235 sq. meter space with a symbol “Faces of India.”
The Dome is the replica of Stupa of Sanchi in MP, a pilgrimage center of Bhuddhists.
The interiors are carved out of the replica of mosque of Siddi Saiyad’s window.
Ahmedabad has bagged the honour of depicting its urban practices at the Expo.
Mr.IP Gautam Municipal Commissioner is sure the brand image of Ahmedabad will
get a boost in the eyes of the world wide visitors during the next six months.

Pakistan pavilion depicts the Fort of Lahore and its theme is “Harmony in Diversity.”
Pakistan pavilion high-lights the life-style of people of Pakistan and its strong bond
with China. It learns from China how to build industry and create harmonious city atmosphere in the country.

A number of other world countries have made the theme of Environment as motto
in their respective pavilions.


The Expo has reportedly cost more than the Beijing Olympics 2008.
80 million people are expected to visit this Expo.
China is the first developing country to hold a World Expo.
The Expo projects Shanghai as a world’s major financial and cultural hub.