Tata, Bajaj to take part in engineering fair in Russia

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) The 18th India Engineering Exhibition-- INDEE-- will begin in St Petersburg, Russia on March 11, with 145 leading Indian manufacturers, including Tata and Bajaj, showcasing their products in the four-day fair.

Global giants such as General Motors, Ford, Electrolux, Siemens and Bosch will be among the companies from 16 other countries to participate in the exhibition to be organised by the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EPEC) in association with Petersburg Technical Fair.

The first day of the fair will be devoted to Indian industry to commemorate the 'Year of Russia', which is now underway in India.

''Two important agreements will be signed with the Leningrad Chambers of Commerce and St Petersburg Chambers of Commerce, which will help in exchange of database with the two regions,'' EPEC Executive Director R Maitra told reporters last evening.

He said the paricipation of 145 companies was clear indication that Indian business was interested in cooperation with Russian companies in auto component and metallurgical sectors.

Rueing that Indian exports to Russia declined considerably after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Mr Maitra expressed the hope that the exhibition would go a long way in increasing business interactions between the two countries.

''Russia's total imports are about 52 billion dollars annually of which India's share is a negligible 0.1 per cent. We want it to increase it to 1 per cent in the next three years,'' he said.

UNI YJ SB HT1425