Industries minister Renu Kumari and Xianmen in China (below) where she will attend the trade fair. Telegraph picture

Industries minister Renu Kumari is leading a delegation from Bihar to the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (Cifit) next month to woo investors.

“China organises an international fair for investment and trade every year. This year, they have invited Bihar to participate.

“We will showcase our strengths in agriculture and food processing sectors at the fair,” the minister told The Telegraph.

Top officials and members of trade and industry bodies will accompany her to the fair in Xianmen city of China’s Fujian province from September 8 to 11.

Bihar is a big market with good infrastructure facilities and law and order, for which entrepreneurs and businessmen from China can think of making it an investment destination, Kumari said.

“Our focus would be to attract investors from China and other countries.” Rajasthan and Maharashtra have already participated in such fairs before, she said.

The delegation would comprise top state government officials, including industries department’s principal secretary and representatives of Bihar Industries Association (BIA), Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

BIA secretary-general Sanjay Bhartiya and vice-president Ram Lal Khetan would be part of the six-member delegation (of BIA) likely to accompany the minister to China.

“There would be five to six members in BIA’s delegation from different sectors such as food processing, steel and plastic. We will try to explore various business opportunities, like collaborating with Chinese companies to acquire the latest technology so that we produce competitive products. We will also look at importing latest machines and equipment to improve our firms’ efficiency,” Bhartiya told The Telegraph.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Bihar unit chairperson Satyajit Kumar said: “Products from the state would be on display at the fair. We will also ask them to come and invest in Bihar. This could prove to be a fruitful visit.”

But some members of trade and industry bodies are reluctant to go as the state government is not going to foot every member.

Members would themselves have to pay for air-fare, hotel and other expenses.

An industry member told The Telegraph the issue of footing the bill was raised during a meeting with the department’s principal secretary a week ago but no assurance was given.

“The state government should bear the expenses for all delegation members if it really wants people to go and learn at the fair in China.

“I think very few people would like to be the part of the delegation if the government does not bear the expenses,” he said.

An entrepreneur said: “More people would have joined the delegation if the state government had borne the costs.”