Gujarat as next big investment destination to China

CEOs of top Chinese enterprises excited about Gujarat.Indian Embassy at Beijing organized a road show on Vibrant Gujarat.Chinese companies keen to invest on infrastructure projects and in heavy engineering &; equipments, renewable energy and auto sector.Chinese companies look to partner with Gujarat-based companies.Beijing – Impressed with excellent infrastructure, and road, rail, air and port connectivity,24-hours quality power supply, plenty of skilled manpower, business environment and good governance in the state of Gujarat, CEOs of big Chinese companies started serious dialogue with State Government officials to make Gujarat as their next big investment destination and manufacturing base. The stage set by Hon’ble Chief Minister during his last visit to China in November, 2011 has started paying rich dividends. In the last six months, Gujarat has become a big brand name in China and now, Chinese companies especially auto majors; infrastructure giants; heavy engineering, equipments, power, renewable energy and textile companies are working out their strategy to invest in Gujarat. They are looking for partners in the State and this provides huge opportunities to local businesses and workforce. With huge increase in the production of cotton in Gujarat, textile industries of China are planning to set up their units in Gujarat to reduce the cost on transportation of raw material as well as finished products which they sell in various markets of Asia, Gulf countries and Europe. The skilled workforce available in Gujarat with proactive approach of the State Government and clear policies, are playing a big role in shaping their strategy. To move forward and discuss the details,China Council for Promotion of International trade (CCPIT), apex agency supported by the Chinese Government and responsible for promoting Chinese business and industry, invited the Gujarat delegation led by Mr. Bharat Lal,Principal Resident Commissioner to visit Beijing and address their business and industry captains. Also, the China Enterprise Forum invited the delegation to address the CEOs and Heads of top Chinese companies at their annual ‘China Global Outbound Investment Summit’ held at Beijing on 14–15 June, 2012. The summit was supported by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of People’s Republic of China. While addressing the CEOs and Heads of top Chinese companies flush with huge cash reserves and looking for big-ticket investment opportunities, Mr. Bharat Lal spoke about the current investment climate and infrastructure in Gujarat and State Government’s policy to sustain such big investments in the state. With the excellent support received by those Chinese companies who have gone to Gujarat from Indian Embassy and the state Government, their misgivings about India, have evaporated. During the summit, many of the participating CEOs came out with their preference for India over South Africa, Brazil or Russia. Their preferred destination is Gujarat and they made open pitch for enhancing the partnership as strength of China in hardware complements the superior software abilities of Gujarat, makes a win-win situation for all.At the dinner hosted on the conclusion of the summit and the subsequent award ceremony for honouring the best performing CEOs in China, Mr. Bharat Lal highlighted the conducive business environment for investors, the State’s proactive governance and various initiatives like single window clearance that facilitate inward investments in Gujarat, making a preferred investment destination of the country. The fifteen-member high-level delegation interacted with heads of various companies who are firming up their strategies for cutting costs, expansion and investment opportunities in India, Russia, Brazil and other African countries in the wake of dwindling recession in Europe. During the highly prestigious summit, the Gujarat delegation presented the State as a place which means business and is in the making of a Global Business Hub. Because of its all round in all sectors, the Gujarat is known as Growth Engine of India.The Indian Embassy in Beijing also organised a road show in partnership with China Council for Promotion of International trade (CCPIT),which is also a partner of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). During the road show, the delegates briefed the packed audience hall on Gujarat’s leadership, pioneering initiatives and large-scale opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing and new energy sectors among others. The Indian Ambassador to China Dr. S. Jaishankar is promoting India as the biggest investment destination in the coming years wherein Gujarat holds a pride place.While addressing the august gathering of leading industries and investors at the Indian embassy, Mr. K Nagraj Naidu, Counsellor highlighted the immense potential of China – India economic relationship and the several areas in which the two countries could collaborate and benefit. He also highlighted the initiatives of the Government of Gujarat which have made it a dream destination in India. Ms. Wang Li, the Dy. Director General, CCPIT also welcomed the delegation and expressed her delight at steadily growing business ties between China and Gujarat. The Chinese companies already present in Gujarat, spoke in glowing terms about the cooperation and assistance they are receiving from Government of Gujarat and local people.Gujarat’s business ties with China have been growing ever since Hon’ble Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi visited China in November 2011 on the invitation of CPC. After the visit of Chief Minister, TBEA, China’s largest power equipment maker has signed the agreement to set up a mega green energy park in the State by investing US$ 400 Million. As one of India’s most investor friendly state with huge thrust on Infrastructure, Gujarat talked of upcoming large projects and big-ticket investment opportunities including Dholera Special Investment Region (D-SIR) along the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) as well as its achievements in the power sector which include the establishment of Asia’s largest solar park at Charankha. Gujarat’s manufacturing abilities are well recognized in China and several requests were received from various Chinese companies for forging joint ventures in sectors like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles and auto sector. During the visit, Beijing University of Technology showed keen interest in collaborating with CEPT University, Ahmedabad on urban planning, high density habitat development, industrial and infrastructure planning for modern industry and heritage conservation. They also desired to have students and faculty exchange programme and joint research to learn from each other and facilitate the socio-economic and industrial development. Beijing University authorities proposed to sign MoUs on the same. University of Nottingham, China Campus proposed to sign MoUs with CEPT University forcollaboration on large scale infrastructure and logistics. They want collaborative studies on language and culture on India and China. CEPT University has firmed up to bring 30 students to China in January, 2013 to conduct joint study and prepare Master Plans on urban development particularly for the city of Ningbo, a large industrial port city. The delegation also held business interactions with Beijing-based large corporate groups with interest in infrastructure, heavy machinery, renewable energy, textiles, heavy engineering and auto sector. These companies are keen to set up their factories in Gujarat to reduce the cost due to its excellent infrastructure, quality power and connectivity to major markets both domestic and foreign, and easy access to resources and raw material as port are well developed. This visit comes in the wake of the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit, January 2013 which in its previous editions has witnessed large scale participation from countries across the world. The next summit is touted as one of the largest in entire South Asia and provides an excellent platform for business networking, knowledge sharing and boosting business ties. The Vibrant Gujarat – 2013 is planned as a mega event with over 100 knowledge events in various sectors, several of which are ongoing. The main exhibition will be spread over 1 lakh square metre of exhibition space and will provide a platform to all leading industries to showcase and explore expansion of their operations. China and India, two of the world’s important economies have a lot to complement each other and Gujarat is the prime place to realise this potential by forging partnerships for mutual benefit. On behalf of Government of Gujarat, Mr. Bharat Lal invited Beijing-based business leaders, investors, corporations, academicians and technologists to participate in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit, January 11–13, 2013, to be held at Gandhinagar.From Beijing, the delegation will move to Chengdu and Guangzhou, two very well known manufacturing hubs of China. At Chengdu, the Department of Commerce, Sichuan province will host the delegation and have organized a Gujarat-Sichuan Trade Symposium to promote partnership between the two regions.