A Chinese business delegation which met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday evinced interest in manufacturing, IT sector and agriculture.
The delegation was led by Fu Yonglin, Deputy Mayor of Chengdu (the provincial capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China).
Thanking Mr. Yonglin for leading the delegation, the Chief Minister said there were numerous opportunities for Chinese investors in infrastructure, ports, construction, manufacturing and agro-processing in Andhra Pradesh. “We are building a new state and a new Capital. Everything that we start with can be made the best practice,” the Chief Minister said, adding that A.P.’s long coastline provides an opportunity to boost eco-tourism and beach tourism.
Mr. Yonglin said India and China have had great trade relations. “The trade exchange between India and Chengdu in the last one year was $1 billion. Between January and March 2015 alone, the trade exchange has been $200 million,” he added.
“Chengdu has a powerful industrial base. We are strong in manufacturing and given our history, there is great potential for tourism,” Mr. Yonglin said. Given that Chengdu and Andhra Pradesh’s Amaravathi has history of Buddhism, “we can start with tourism with a target of 50,000 tourist arrivals from both sides and gradually, increase the number. This will increase a mutual understanding of our cultures,” Mr Yonglin said.
Replying to a question from Suresh Chitturi, Chairman CII Andhra Pradesh, the Deputy Mayor said both sides could work on deepening business ties on a “project-based” manner. “The AP government can give its suggestions on how we can better our policies and work together,” he said, adding that a “good beginning is half done.”
On a question raised by a business delegate from Chengdu on infrastructure, Ajay Jain, Secretary (Energy & Infrastructure), said AP has sector-specific policies for ports and infrastructure. He said clearances for projects would be granted within 21 days through single-desk system. Giving a suggestion on what Andhra Pradesh can learn from Chengdu’s story, Mr. Yonglin said the distribution of population has to be balanced. “What cities like Amaravathi and Chengdu need is Organic Re-innovation,” he said.
Principal Secretary to CM Satish Chandra, Secretary (industries) S.S. Rawat, Secretary (Finance) P.V. Ramesh, Secretary (Energy & Infrastructure) Ajay Jain, and other officials were present.
We are building a new State and a new Capital. Everything that we start with can be made the best practice.
N. Chandrababu Naidu
Chief Minister
