Chinese businessmen keen to invest in city
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a delegation from Wenzhou, China on Monday for social, cultural and trade ties between the two cities.
The tie-up would benefit in promoting tourism, cultural affairs, people to people contact, trade and commerce.
Director, commerce, Ye Chaoyang signed the MOU on behalf of the Chinese government and municipal commissioner Udairaj Singh inked the pact on behalf of Lucknow Municipal Corporation.
Talking to Hindustan Times Ye Chaoyang said, “Wenzhou produces around 25% of the shoes manufactured in the world and has 400 big manufacturing units. We can provide expertise and are ready to invest in the shoe industry. We want to contribute in the government’s Make in India programme. We are ready to invest in Lucknow and Kanpur both.”
He said “The people of China think India is a better investment option than Pakistan. Boundaries issue is not important for investors as they want relations to be normal. When people to people contact between China and India will increase, the misunderstanding between the countries will vanish. We don’t keep Pakistan at par with India, as India and China are two upcoming robust economic powers and Pakistan is nothing in front of these two countries.”
“The Chinese are also willing to share their expertise in smart cities. Lucknow would require heavy machinery and we can manufacture that machinery here and share our knowledge in solid waste management, water supply, storm water management, heritage conservation and tourism,” he said.
The officials from Wenzhou have invited acting Mayor Suresh Awasthi and municipal commissioner Udairaj Singh for promoting better ties between the two cities.
Additional municipal commissioner PK Srivastava said, “Since UP is home to a large number of micro, small and medium enterprises just like Wenzhou, both the countries can learn from each other and progress in the days to come. We hope to promote industrial growth and business between two countries.”