India’s China executives WFH as WFO permits still in limbo

Kolkata: Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Hong Kong have emerged as enterprise assembly hubs for Chinese language corporations working in India. That is as a result of senior Chinese language executives haven’t obtained work permits to function out of India previously four-five years. Indian firm bosses who wish to forge enterprise partnerships with Chinese language corporations, be it in manufacturing or gross sales, are additionally flying to those locations, in addition to China, for his or her conferences.

Vivo India chief govt Jerome Chen, Oppo India vp and nation head Figo Zhang, OnePlus India chief govt Robin Liu and Realme India vp and nation head Michael Guo are some Chinese language enterprise leaders who aren’t based mostly in India and frequently maintain offline conferences overseas, trade executives stated.

Liu of OnePlus final month met cell phone retailers in Bangkok whereas the Oppo India administration referred to as commerce companions to Bali within the month of November for a conclave at which Zhang and India gross sales director Roy Chen finalised plans for 2025, they stated.

Realme not too long ago held a gathering with huge retailers in Thailand.

Tv producer Hisense flew a group of Indian commerce companions to Dubai earlier than Diwali. Its product group for India is predicated there. India managing director Steven Li, who’s Chinese language, and Pankaj Rana, chief govt officer of the native unit, are based mostly in New Delhi. Vivo, Oppo, Realme, OnePlus and Hisense did not reply to queries.

A lot of the expat-dominated enterprise groups of Chinese companies in India had gone again dwelling in the course of the Covid pandemic or are newly appointed.

They’re but to obtain Indian visas regardless of a number of functions although New Delhi has not too long ago liberalised the regime for Chinese language specialist engineers important to the institution of factories.

Chinese language smartphone manufacturers elevated their mixed market share in India to 75% by items offered in calendar 2024 from 74% in 2023, based on Counterpoint Analysis. The Chinese language corporations are additionally increasing income in India. Trade executives attribute this to their technique of promoting high-specification merchandise at a decrease price than South Korean and Japanese manufacturers.

Regardless of Chinese language corporations having invested considerably in India, the variety of senior enterprise leaders from that nation based mostly in India has dropped considerably and most of them are working from bases there, stated the proprietor of a number one digital retail chain. “As they don’t seem to be getting Indian visas, they’re compelled to name all enterprise conferences in close by international locations,” he stated.

Chief executives and senior leaders of homegrown contract producers additionally frequently maintain enterprise conferences with Chinese language corporations exterior India.

Joint ventures or enterprise partnerships with Chinese language corporations have develop into important as India emerges a hub for contract manufacturing.

A senior govt at one of many main homegrown contract producers stated getting a Chinese language enterprise visa will not be an issue, which is why he goes there for 5-7 days at a stretch, finishes all conferences and returns.