Traders in Delhi bat for quality Chinese goods

Almost 80 per cent of the electrical and electronic goods being sold at Bhagirath Palace market in Old Delhi are imported from China

Traders at the Bhagirath Palace market, the biggest market for electrical and electronic goods here, who import a large part of their goods from neighbouring China are hoping that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India will prove fruitful in improving the trade ties between the two countries.

Almost 80 per cent of the electrical and electronic goods being sold at Bhagirath Palace market in Old Delhi are imported from China. Right from electric wires, torches and CFL bulbs to air-conditioners, televisions, mobile phones, all bear the “made in China” tag.

While a section of traders there feel that China should set up manufacturing units in India, others believe that enforcing standardisation and proper quality control will help bolster trading sentiment.

Central Radio and Electronics Merchants’ Association vice-president Rakesh Arora said: “Almost 80 per cent of the goods that we get here are made in China. Apart from the lower prices, goods made in China have a different finish as well. We feel that companies setting up their units in China should set up manufacturing units in India as well.”

“Rather than getting only finished goods from China, if we have manufacturing units in India, it will benefit our country because the youth will get employed and we will get good quality products,” he added.

Another trader added: “There is certainly a finesse about the goods that are made in China and that is why they are hugely popular here.”

Delhi Electrical Traders’ Association president Ajay Sharma said: “If India wants to improve trade ties with China, the government should set up a standard for the goods that are being imported. For the best interest of consumers as well as traders, fixing a standard marking on the products, similar to an ISI mark, will serve the purpose.”

“Goods made in China have a huge demand here, but most of the times they are sub-standard in quality. If we sell those goods to our consumers, there is a risk for us too. Chinese goods are also sold in American countries as also other developed nations, but there they do not accept sub-standard goods like we do here,” he added.