SARS keeps Indian businesses away from Asian fairs

Friday, 04 April 2003, 20:30 IST
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KOLKATA: Indian corporate houses are cancelling trips to several business fairs across East and Southeast Asia, including a major one in China, because of fears of the killer pneumonia. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called off its participation at the Canton Fair in China's Guangdong province in the wake of the travel advisory issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Wednesday because of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which has killed nearly 80 people worldwide. An eight-member Indian steel alliance mission led by Tata Steel's J.R. Irani was to visit China from April 15, but the CII has cancelled the trip. The Canton Fair, which attracts about 5,000 Indian businessmen every year, is to be held from April 15 to 20. The other fairs that might not see Indian participation because of the health alert are the International Toy and Gifts Fair in Guangdong and two other fairs in Hong Kong. CII is also cancelling business meetings in Hong Kong, which is worst hit by SARS, and Singapore. The outbreak of the severe strain of pneumonia is affecting business. "I was all prepared for the visit to China and Hong Kong. But the trip has been cancelled now because of the pneumonia," says Prithimoy Chakraborty of Zenith Finesse, among eastern India's largest importers of gift items for corporate houses. The disease, believed to have broken out in southern China, is sweeping through several Southeast Asian countries, including Hong Kong and Singapore. Chinese partners of Indian businesses here are advising against travelling to China. Chakraborty's associate in China has asked him to delay his trip to Guangdong. Another firm involved in importing electrical fittings, bicycle parts and heavy machinery has also cancelled its executive's trip to China. The companies say they will have to put up with losses because of the change in travel plans and their inability to attend the various fairs. The spread of SARS has also prompted the World Economic Forum to postpone its two-day meeting from April 15 in China. However, CII, which is opening an office in China in June, hopes the disease will be controlled soon and the uncertainty over business travel will be over.
Source: IANS
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