A
44 member team from India, headed by Jci. Sen. Ramesh Batavia, went on a 10 day
business exploration tour to China, from 25th January to 4th
February 2008. The group consisting of prominently businessmen from diverse
fields, undertook this tour to have a first hand information of the business
prospects and culture in China.
The
Thai airways flight from Hyderabad, touched base at Swarnaboomi airport,
Thailand and after transit arrived at Hongkong. From Hongkong, we were transferred
by coach to Shenzen. Shenzen, is primarily a electronic city with options to
buy a whole gamut of hi-tech electronic items at cheap prices. Barring the
brand imitations part, there was a huge selection to choose from ranging from
LCD panels, LED Lights, Laptop computers, Mobile phones, Memory Sticks, Camera
and other devices. One evening, we visited the famous “Window of the World”
theme park, which had miniature structures of important world architecture and
natural places. The highlight of the , Window of the world is the evening stage
performance, where over 1000 artistes perform a dance drama. A must see
attraction, for those traveling to Shenzen.
We
then proceeded to Guangzho. Guangzho is the third largest city of China and has
a wide range of products ranging from electronics, clothing, hardware,
automobiles and furniture. 100kms away from Guangzho is a furniture city called
Shunde, where a whole range of furnitures are available at cheap prices. For
those working on or considering a big budget building project, this would be an
ideal place to see before you finalise on the interiors.
After
spending 2 days in Guangzho, we proceeded to Shanghai. Shangai welcomed with a
snow fall. We proceeded by Van to Yiw, which is a gifts market place of China.
Unfortunately, owing to heavy snowfall and Chinese new year celebrations, the
market was closed and we could visit the market only for a day. It is the
destination, for those who are looking into the gifts business.
From
Yiwu we arrived Shanghai and spend a day there. In the evening, we visited the
famous “acrobats of china” show, which was a splendrous show. We visited the
famous Jade Buddha temple, visited the pearl and silk factory outlet and also
took a ride on Maglev train. Maglev runs on magnetic tracks at the speed of
430kms/ hr. The 32 kms distance from airport to city, is covered in 7 minutes.
It was a thrilling ride.
From
Shangai we proceeded to Hongkong. We visited the Hongkong Disney land, the
Victoria peak, Aberdeen fishermen village and the gem factory. We had a
wonderful time shopping at the night market, the day before we started back.
While
a major part of the group extended 2 days of tour at Bangkok, I returned back
to Bangalore with happy reminiscences of the tour.
Mr.Vikranth,
beautifully captured the essence of the tour, through his SMS, which reads:
“Nihao/ Se Sa Jing!!/ Se Sae/ Remember the times in de ice/ de train ride from
Yiwu to Shanghai/ Disneyland/ Veronica/ Charlie/ Ramada Inn/ Maglev Ride/ What
fun/ Great team/ de excess luggage/ great wasn’t it.”
Thanks
team members for making it happen. The interesting part, was that 14 out of 44
participants, were the participants of the CEO Summit and Winning Edge
programme organized by PALMS in the fag end of
2007. Dear friends, thanks for
your continued patronage to PALMS and our initiatives.
Happy Reading,
D. Senthil Kannan
Article
Dated Mar 2008
