CoVid19 Effect: Business meets canceled, foreign delegates avoid travel

NEW DELHI/TOKYO/SEOUL: The worldwide novel coronavirus (CoVid19) scare has taken a toll on the many a business meets and events in India too, which have been canceled or postponed indefinitely.

The events like “Digital Transformation Unlocking Potential for the Future” which was to be organized in New Delhi on February 25 by Hitachi Social Innovation Forum 2020 and Times Network was canceled and postponed indefinitely.

According to sources, the Japanese delegates who were supposed to participate in the event stayed away from venturing out from Japan where 146 coronavirus infections have been confirmed in more than 16 prefectures (till February 25).

Earlier India Fintech Festival (IFF) 2020 which was to happen in Mumbai on March 4-5 and was slated to witness the participation of over 25 countries, 500 delegates, 200 exhibitors and 150 speakers from across the world, has been canceled. Ironically, more than 90 percent of the exhibition space was booked by the exhibitors.

The India-bound delegates from South Korea which reported more than 970 cases of coronavirus and 11 deaths also have stayed away from venturing out of their land. South Korea has emerged as a country with second-most cases of coronavirus after China.

A Busan business delegation from South Korea which was scheduled to reach New Delhi in the second week of March with 20 members, also stands canceled. The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) was organizing this business meeting.

Also read: Does Coronavirus outbreak qualify as a Force Majeure event?

Another South Korean business delegation from Chungbuk which was scheduled to come to India in the first week of April, also has canceled its trip, for now, the confirmation of which was received in India on February 25 only.

As countries like China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and others likes the USA, Italy and Iran grapple hard to contain the deadly virus outbreak, and their respective governments have issued travel advisories for their natives, the delegates and experts from these countries are forced to remain in their countries of origin.

New hubs of coronavirus outbreak: 

South Korea, Italy and Iran have emerged as new hubs of the outbreak as the total number of people infected so far in the world has neared 80,000 in 37 countries, causing at least 2600 deaths.

The Auto Expo held recently in India was skipped by the top Chinese company executives and the Chinese stalls in the expo were filled with middle level executives from China. The crucial Great Wall Motors vendor meet also was scrapped as Chinese executives back home were advised to work from home and not venture out.

Also, the Mobile World Congress which was planned to happen in Barcelona was canceled.

The coronavirus is also staring at the mother of all events Tokyo Olympics 2020 though the organizers have vowed to go ahead with the scheduled event.

India comparatively safe:

Having reported three confirmed cases of coronavirus so far, India is taking all possible precautions to contain the spread of deadly virus here.  Screening of inbound passengers from anywhere in the worlds is happening at all 21 airports, and 77 major seaports as well as at all border crossings

Also read: Coronavirus outbreak forcing people tweak foreign travel plans, especially to Asia