Trade and cooperation were in focus on the first day of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit on Wednesday as provincial officials of the two nations inked agreements in the areas of governance and industry.
The agreements were signed at a function in the presence of Mr. Xi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and dignitaries from China, Gujarat and leading industrialists.
Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and heads of Gujarat-based businesses were among the special invitees for the occasion.
One MoU was signed between China Development Bank and iNDEXTb (Industrial Extension Bureau) – a State government body for facilitating investments — to encourage Chinese investment in Gujarat, especially in the manufacturing sector. As per the understanding China will set up industrial parks in several areas in Gujarat beginning from Vadodara. The Gujarat government will facilitate land acquisition and provide requisite clearances for these parks so that Chinese manufacturers, chiefly in electrical, electronics, plastics and plastic processing are able to set up their units in Gujarat. The MoU will be in force for three years.
The event also saw the signing of a State-to-State agreement between the governments of Gujarat and Guangdong Province in south China for cooperation in trade, education, culture, urban planning and infrastructure . Another agreement was signed to establish sister city relations between Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. Both the agreements will be in force for five years.
“We hope the agreements will be a new beginning in the relationship between India and China and Gujarat. In general, Chinese investment in India is not much, but the country is looking to increase its investment starting with Gujarat,” D.J. Pandian, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries & Mines), Gujarat, said.