Chavan invites investments from China

Maharashtra is willing to set up a special investment zone for Chinese companies in the state, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told the visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang here Tuesday.

During the meeting, Chavan briefed Li about the immense investment opportunities across various sectors, including automobiles and textiles. Chavan called on the Chinese premier at Taj Mahal hotel. Li arrived from New Delhi at 3 p.m.

The chief minister said there was tremendous scope for Chinese investors to set up industries even in the backward regions of Maharashtra.

"We are prepared to set up a special investment zone to help such companies willing to invest in Maharashtra," Chavan said on the occasion.

He pointed out that of the 100-odd Chinese companies operating in the country, only four have set up bases in Maharashtra, including automobile giant Photon Beijing, which was allotted land by the state government at Chakan, near Pune.

Li recalled how Mumbai has changed since his last visit to the city 27 years ago and appreciated its tremendous growth in various sectors, including infrastructure, information technology and industries.

He said his prime aim to visit Mumbai was to study the success of the city as the country's financial capital and discuss ways and means of boosting investments here.

Listing the developments which would make Mumbai a world-class city in the next few years, Chavan mentioned the upcoming Mumbai Trans Harbour Link in the Arabian Sea, the coastal highway, the coastal water transport, Metro Rail and Mono Rail, the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and other mega projects.

He said that Maharashtra has tremendous scope for investors in infrastructure, agriculture research, water projects, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and other sectors.