China invites Gujarat to
partner in the economic resurgence of its Central & Western provinces
Gujarat - Sichuan
province collaboration in a big way
19 June 2012, Chengdu : After the eastern coast became
the driver of China's industrial growth, the Chinese authorities are now
focussed on the economic and industrial development of its 12 large provinces
located in western and central region, which are also closer to India. With the
slowdown in Europe, Chinese authorities plan to transform the export-oriented
Chinese economy into a domestic market-driven and also making central and
western provinces as the future hub of industrial development, with Sichuan
province being the torch bearer of this growth. India being closer to these
provinces can play a central role in this transformation.
In this backdrop, Sichuan provincial
Government invited the Gujarat delegation to visit its capital city Chengdu to
forge partnership in trade, business and investment as well as address their industry
and business leaders. The Gujarat - Sichuan cooperation was initiated by
Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his last visit to Sichuan in
November, 2011 and his meetings with Governor and Secretary, CPC of Sichuan
Province. Sichuan provincial Government has accorded special and highest
attention to Gujarat.
The 12-member Gujarat delegation led by
Shri Bharat Lal, Principal Resident Commissioner, Government of Gujarat,
visited Chengdu on Monday and held wide ranging discussion with provincial
authorities on various aspects of cooperation. During its discussion with the
officials of Department of Commerce and Department of Foreign Affairs, the
delegation proposed collaboration in mass housing, infrastructure development,
alternative energy, heavy engineering and equipment manufacturing.
Hon'ble Chief Minister, Gujarat Shri
Narendra Modi has also extended an invite to the Governor and Secretary, CPC of
Sichuan province to visit Gujarat and participate in the upcoming Vibrant
Gujarat Summit - 2013 and Mr. Bharat Lal handed over the invites.
The Department of Commerce also hosted a
major business symposium to provide a further impetus to Gujarat –
Sichuan trade, business and investment ties which saw participation from a
large number of Sichuan-based companies. A number of these companies evinced
keen interest in making Gujarat as their next manufacturing base and develop
joint venture with Gujarat-based industries. The provincial government also
invited Gujarat based companies to come to Sichuan as it offers vast market of
central and western provinces of China. This has opened up an exciting
opportunity for Gujarat based industries.
The Sichuan province, being
geographically closer to India is strategically poised to strengthen India-China
business ties and the provincial government realizes that Gujarat is the leader
in many of its focus business sectors like Electrical & Power equipments,
Chemicals, pharmaceuticals and fertilizer manufacturing among others. The
Department of Foreign Affairs officials also evinced interest in setting up
sister city relationships between Gujarat’s and Sichuan’s cities
for social and economic cooperation in various sectors like affordable housing,
reconstruction and urban planning.
Gujarat and Sichuan, both leaders in
various sectors have been looking towards complementing each other and
leveraging upon respective strength areas to the benefit of each. Sichuan
government officials have now extended a special invite to Gujarat for the
upcoming West China International Fair in September, 2012. The provincial
Government is also keen host a Gujarat delegation to visit Sichaun province to
see the disaster mitigation work and collaborate in housing and infrastructure
sector.
The delegation from
Government of Gujarat also met several Chengdu based business groups to discuss
investment opportunities in Gujarat. It now plans to travel onwards to
Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, the manufacturing hub of China to
discuss and explore suitable areas of collaboration that can help the
industries in both regions. At Guangzhou, the delegation will be holding a
Vibrant Gujarat road show in partnership with the Consulate and meeting with
business groups.
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