DPIIT To Develop SOPs To Ease Entry Of Chinese Workers For MNCs

New Delhi, Jun 3 (KNN) The Indian government is working to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) to facilitate the entry of certain Chinese nationals employed by multinational corporations into the country, according to reports.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is engaged in discussions with several ministries including home affairs, external affairs, and industry stakeholders on the matter.

The move comes as various sectors in India, particularly those excluded from the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, have faced challenges engaging Chinese workers for installation of machinery.

This has made it difficult for companies to expand production capacities as part of diversification strategies away from China.

Stakeholders have often struggled to provide convincing reasons for hiring Chinese personnel, with visa delays persisting even for PLI visas.

However, the restrictions arose following heightened border tensions between India and China.

According to sources, some multinational firms are shifting machinery and R&D operations from China to India but have been hampered by delays in securing visas for Chinese staff needed to operate the equipment.

In sectors like textiles and leather, expensive machinery has remained idle for months as companies insist only personnel from Chinese vendors can operate the systems, but obtaining visas has proven difficult.

While acknowledging some instances of Chinese nationals engaging in illegal activities on previous visits, the government aims to balance security concerns by granting exemptions based on SOPs being developed.

(KNN Bureau)