By Pervez Bari,
Bhopal, 22 Dec 2013: Three-day “Haat of India” aiming at inviting Chinese industrialists to invest in Madhya Pradesh was inaugurated at ‘Lotus Hall Courtyard by Marriott’ here.
Chinese ambassador to India Wei Wei was the chief guest. President of India-China Economic and Cultural Council P.S. Devdhar, over 150 representatives of various Chinese industries, Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa, Additional Chief Secretary Commerce and Industries P.K. Dash, and Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats & Rural Development Mrs. Aruna Sharma were also present on the occasion.
Chinese ambassador Wei Wei hailed the efforts for providing a forum to Chinese industries to invest in Madhya Pradesh. He said the both Prime Ministers of India and China have exchanged visits due to which diplomatic ties between the two countries have cemented. He said that constant efforts are being made to resolve border disputes and promote economic cooperation and friendship between the two countries. He said that positive atmosphere is vital to increase economic cooperation between the two countries. Since both the countries are neighbours, they should continue to promote mutual economic cooperation, he added.
Wei Wei stressed the need to expand economic activities for removing trade imbalance between China and India. He said that Indian industrialists are being motivated to do business in China and Chinese industrialists are also being motivated to invest in India in large number. He said the Chinese investment in Madhya Pradesh can be boosted if a Chinese Industrial Park is set up in India. If a Chinese Industrial Park on the lines of Chinese model is set up, Chinese industrialists will be motivated to invest in the country. Giving example of China-Singapore Industrial Park, Wei Wei said that if Chinese Industrial Park is set up in Madhya Pradesh also then jobs will become available to large number of youths apart from strengthening of rural economy.
Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa said that Madhya Pradesh is the heartland of India due to which smooth means of transport to and from all parts of India are available here. With its central location, Madhya Pradesh has immense scope for emerging as logistics hub of the country. He said that Madhya Pradesh’s agriculture growth rate is the highest in India. Madhya Pradesh has become pioneer state in production of wheat and rice. Area under irrigation in the state is 25 lakh hectare, which is targeted to be increased to 40 lakh hectare in next 5 years. Adequate water is stored in dams of Madhya Pradesh due to existence of all-weather rivers like Narmada. The Chief Secretary said that there are immense possibilities for establishment of Chinese Industrial Park in Madhya Pradesh.
At the outset, Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats & Rural Development Mrs. Aruna Sharma said that attention is paid in Madhya Pradesh to both agriculture and non-agriculture sectors’ growth. For increasing productivity, latest techniques are being adopted in the agriculture sector. Besides, constant efforts are being made to provide permanent sources of income to farmers in non-agriculture sector. She said that China has scored large scale success in non-agriculture sector. Drawing inspiration form Chinese concept of Village Enterprise and Township Model, such an initiative will also be taken in Madhya Pradesh through Haat of India. This discussion will help in promoting production quality in state’s rural areas apart from possibilities of a large market. These efforts will also strengthen economic condition of women members of self-help groups making them self-reliant.
Additional Chief Secretary Commerce and Industries P.K. Dash also spoke on the occasion. Welcoming Chinese ambassador Wei Wei’s proposal for Chinese Industrial Park, he said that the state government will provide all facilities to Chinese investors in a time-bound manner. He said that TRIFAC has arranged single-window system for permissions of land, water and power for industries. He said that vast land is available for setting up industries near Indore under Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. There are ample possibilities for setting up of Chinese Industrial Park near Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior etc. ([email protected])
