Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and discussed investment possibilities in the State.
During a 45-minute meeting here, Mr. Li and Mr. Chavan discussed future investments in the industrial, pharmaceuticals and essential service sectors.
“We expect substantial Chinese investment in Maharashtra in the coming days. We also expect Chinese cooperation in setting up industrial corridors,” said Mr. Chavan after the meeting.
Trade concessions and advantages in the form of Special Investment Zones would be extended to Chinese companies keen on investing, the Chief Minister said.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of the new industrial policy recently announced by the State government that focuses on promotion of investments in the micro, small and medium enterprises.
Mr. Li expressed interest at the idea of generating employment in the State’s backward regions by channelling money through the investment route.
Mr. Chavan suggested Chinese investment in agriculture and cotton industry, while encouraging Chinese help in raising the bar in essential services such as sanitation and water supply, especially the latter with Maharashtra reeling under severe drought.
Chinese auto major Deigue Foton has already proposed an investment of Rs. 1,600 crore for the production of utility vehicles near Pune.
Haier India, the domestic unit of the Hong Kong-based Haier Electronics, has also announced its plans to make optimum utilisation of its Pune facility.
