China likely to set up industrial park in Nashik

PUNE: The Consul General of China in Mumbai Liu Youfa said that China is seriously considering establishing an Industrial Park in Nashik. An area of 2000 acres has been identified for the purpose. According to the Consul General, the China Industrial Park will have 20-30 non-polluting, high end manufacturing and IT companies that will provide direct employment to nearly 3000 people.

The Chinese Consul General was speaking to the Governor of Maharashtra K. Sankaranarayanan at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai today. The Consul General informed the Governor that China has declared 2014 as the Year of Friendly Exchanges and will be hosting a festival in China in June with participation from friendly countries. He invited Maharashtra to participate in the festival.

Dr Liu Youfa, an economist by training, said that the trade volume between India and China was $ 64 billion last year. He said efforts are underway to increase the volume further. Dr Youfa told the Governor that he has been conducting market research in Mumbai and Bangalore to identify new areas of cooperation for trade and investment. Mentioning that China has expertise in infrastructure development, he said that this was one area where China could offer cooperation to the State of Maharashtra.

The Chinese Consul General told the Governor that having established a Confucius Institute in the University of Mumbai last year, China is considering offering a programme in Martial Arts through the University of Mumbai. He said the programme will train students in self defence.

Expressing satisfaction over the measures taken by both countries to promote multilateral co-operation, the Governor expressed the hope that the relations between China and India will further strengthen in the years to come.