Rural economy of Madhya Pradesh to be strengthened with establishment of Chinese Industrial Park
Bhopal: Three-day “Haat of India” aiming at inviting Chinese industrialists to invest in Madhya Pradesh was inaugurated at ‘Lotus Hall Courtyard by Marriott’ here this morning. Chinese ambassador to India Shri Wei Wei was the chief guest/ President of India-China Economic and Cultural Council Shri P.S. Devdhar, over 150 representatives of various Chinese industries, Chief Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa, Additional Chief Secretary Commerce and Industries Shri P.K. Dash, and Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats & Rural Development Smt. Aruna Sharma were also present on the occasion. The function began with lighting of traditional lamp. Madhya Pradesh Livelihood Forum’s CEO Shri L.M. Belwal and office-bearers of India-China Economic and Cultural Council accorded a traditional welcome to the guests.
Chinese ambassador Shri 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.
Shri 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, Shri 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 Shri 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 existence of all-weather rivers like Narmada. Madhya Pradesh is also power-surplus. Workers and trained human resources are adequately available here. the Chief Secretary said that there are immense possibilities for establishment of Chinese Industrial Park in Madhya Pradesh. Chinese industrialists will definitely like better industrial policy of Madhya Pradesh as compared to other states. This will help in improving people’s living conditions apart from jobs to youths on a large scale.
At the outset, Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats & Rural Development Smt. 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 Shri P.K. Dash also spoke on the occasion. Welcoming Chinese ambassador Shri 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. He said that state’s industrial policy contains more special financial facilities as compared to other states. Availing its benefit, textile, automobile and automobile instruments industries can be set up.
On the occasion, former Director of Guangzhou Economic Development Zone Shri Han Ke Nan gave a presentation on the “China’s experience of economic zone development.” Sushri Liu Yang Yan, Secretary China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) expressed her views on cooperation and opportunities between Madhya Pradesh and Shenzhen. Shri Lin Yang Nan, Director, Modern Agricultural Equipments Institute of China gave a video presentation on “Agriculture Miracle and the role of Agro-Technology potential for partnership.”
