Assocham's proposal for 'Chinese Manufacturing Zone' in UP

Around 50 Chinese firms have evinced interest in investing in the state

With around 50 Chinese firms evincing interest towards investment in Uttar Pradesh, industry body Assocham is working on a proposal for setting up a 'Chinese Manufacturing Zone' in the state.

Around 50 Chinese companies were in contact with the industry body, Assocham's secretary general D S Rawat told PTI.

He said that these companies want to invest in India through a 'manufacturing zone' and as per their requirement UP is the most suitable place.

"Assocham is working on a project, whose proposal will be submitted to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav after three weeks. In this proposal, we will ask the government to set up a Chinese manufacturing zone.

"If the government provides land and some rebate in taxes to these willing companies then they will create a zone on their own. They want to bring 100 other companies with them," Rawat said.

He said that if this project turn successful it would bring at least one lakh crore investment in the state.

"The Chinese companies will develop their own townships, including school, hospital and other amenities. This will provide employment to 30,000 to 40,000 persons directly or indirectly and the image of UP will change not only in India, but worldwide," he said.

The Assocham secretary general said that if the dream of 'Make in India' has to be realised, this opportunity of investment needs to be grabbed.

"Chinese companies, which are willing to set up manufacturing zone anywhere in the country, need help of the organisation. We are emphasising on UP as it is close to Delhi and has the strength to develop basic infrastructure. Besides, the state government is looking towards investment," Rawat said.

He said, "We met the Chinese Ambassador and told him that before sending the proposal to the UP government, the organisation will meet the research team and ask whether it agreed with it or not."

He said that if required Assocham would organise a meeting between the officials of the state government and Chinese companies.

Rawat said that trade has become one-sided in favour of China.

He said that as compared to China, India import goods worth more than Rs 2.5 lakh crore.

"If China has to do better business in India, it needs to set up its industries here," he said.