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African consumers dump Chinese, European goods for made-in-India wares

The popular notion in African countries that Indian goods lack quality is fast disappearing. This development coincides with African consumers' disillusionment with cheap Chinese goods and exorbitantly priced European wares.

''China, India's major rival, is resorting to mass dumping of cheaper goods which the African consumers are wary of. Their quality and durability are believed to be suspect,'' said Ajay Poddar, vice-president of the Federation of Engineering Industries of India. He has just returned from a business visit which he led to African countries like South Africa, Zambia, Uganda and Kenya..

European goods exported into Africa are beyond the reach of 90 per cent of the population. There is hardly any middle class in Africa, Poddar noted.

''While buying Indian goods, do not deal with intermediaries. Look for ISO certification and get them inspected by insurance agents like Lloyds,'' he had told the business chambers in Africa.

The Indian delegation, comprising small- and medium- engineering industries, has generated trade enquiries of Rs 750 million and firm export orders worth Rs 50 million which will be executed next month.

''Of the business enquiries, 10 to 15 per cent will be converted into hard business early next year, '' Poddar said.

The ten-member delegation sponsored by the FEII had visited Africa and Dubai during September-October to explore new opportunities and avenues for trade, joint ventures and economic co-operation.

The delegation has also identified considerable scope for joint ventures and technology transfer for mini hydel, mini cement, mini sugar plants, building materials, LPG bottling and distribution and food processing industries.

Two MoUs were signed with the National African Federation of Chambers of Commerce of South Africa and the Uganda National Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The FEII has offered to impart free industrial management and marketing oriented training in India to the prospective enterprising persons. The proposed training would commence in February 2000 and would be for a period of three years.

Poddar said the delegation also looked at joint ventures especially in countries like Zambia and Uganda. India, he said, has 100,000 ISO certified companies in the world, the largest for any country.

UNI

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