CM hard sells industrial parks to Chinese

Hyderabad: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday met top executives of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Beijing and prevailed upon them to invest in Andhra Pradesh. In response to the Naidu’s appeal, CHEC chairman Mo Wenhe said: “It is a privilege to meet you in Beijing. We are looking forward to fostering great business relationship with your country.” Stating that the company has strong presence in infrastructure, Wenhe said their core business involves constructions of ports and airports.

The company also has expertise in roads, railways and civil engineering. “Our roads business is worth $60 billion,” Wenhe explained. He said his company is keen on replicating their China experience in AP, in infrastructure development. “We are aware of AP’s advantages of long coastline, natural and mineral resources,” he added. Lauding China’s rapid growth in the last 40 years, the Chief Minister has asked the company to explore creation of a Chinese industrial park which will have all Chinese firms under one roof.

Explaining that Amaravati is the new capital, the Chief Minister invited them to set up a shop in the capital area. Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Soma Enterprises and the China Habour Engineering Company. Later Naidu met the state-owned China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) officials and asked them to cooperate in the construction of dams and linking of rivers in the state. “If you showcase your work and experience by supporting AP, India will learn from these models, the Chief Minister said.

The Gezhouba Group has expertise in water conservancy, wind power, electromechanical installation, power transmission and transformation, highways, railways, bridges, municipal works, airports, ports, waterways, the design, construction of industrial and civil buildings, etc.,The company executives informed the Chief Minister that they will stay in touch with the government through their India office in New Delhi.

At a meeting with a Guizhou delegation, the Chief Minister was informed that they brought the Silk-road International Investment Corporation. The $40-billion Silk Road Fund is designed to finance the China-proposed “Belt and Road”. “Belt and Road” refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) initiatives proposed by China in 2013 for improved cooperation with countries in a vast part of Asia, Europe and Africa.

“Given that AP is a virgin state, you have a plethora of investments opportunities in our state. Even in tourism, we are culturally connected due to a strong presence of Buddhism in our state,” the Chief Minister added. On the invite of the Communist Party of China, the Chief Minister met International Department Central Committee of Communist Party of China (IDCPC) minister Wang Jairui in Beijing on Tuesday. During the meeting, Jairui said that our countries have a long-standing relationship. “I welcome you to exchange your ideas with our party leaders,” he said, wishing the AP delegation has a fruitful visit.