New Delhi, Oct 4 (KNN) Indian engineering exporters mainly SMEs have received business inquiries worth about USD 100 million from 5 day EEPC India exhibition in Colombia.

The exhibition was held under the EEPC India's flagship series INDEE (40th edition) with active support of the Commerce Ministry.

In a letter to Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, EEPC India Chairman, Ravi Sehgal said “Our exhibitors booked orders worth USD 3.3 million and potential business inquiries of nearly USD 98.5 million. India's engineering exports to Colombia were USD 483 million in 2017-18 and our exhibitors have been able to garner nearly one fifth of last year's exports during this exhibition itself between September 24 and September 28. These business enquiries are most likely to materialize.”

As many as 30 participating SMEs have appointed agents for their products in Colombia, Sehgal added.

Seventy-seven companies participated in the exposition in Bogota, and most of them returned with a feeling that this was one of the best INDEEs, hosted by the council, said Sehgal.

Sharing his feedback from the event with the Commerce and Industry Minister, the EEPC India Chairman said, "we should learn from China to promote the exports of the entire chain of production.”

He said that in case of engineering exports, for example, the Chinese do not encourage primary steel exports and, in fact, such steel is provided though PSUs which are often selling steel at a loss.

Thus, they are able to circumvent the WTO's Article of Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM) and can export the entire chain of value added engineering products, he added.