From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Nov 10: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday called for strengthening and deepening India-China and China-Karnataka relations.
Inaugurating the sixth China India Forum in Bengaluru, he said the entire world was looking towards India as time was on India’s side, specifically in favour of Karnataka.
He said international delegations were making a beeline to Bengaluru and Karnataka to explore investment opportunities as the State has emerged as the leading investment destination as it is booming with activity.
Karnataka possesses unbeatable combination of hi-technology and an outstanding as well as highly qualified workforce.
The sixth India-China Forum being held in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister said presented a platform of historic opportunity for bilateral trade and friendly ties.
India-China bilateral trade has reached US $ 70.4 billion in 2005. India’s exports to China touched US $ 8.86 billion while China’s exports to the country were US $ 61.54 billion and therefore there was enormous opportunity to bridge the gap.
“It is just the beginning in identifying synergies in technologies which would strengthen and deepen the foundation of a Future-oriented Partnership between India and China and Karnataka and China, evolving business ties particularly in defence, energy, infrastructure, agriculture and food processing, Information Technology and environment, to name a few,’’ Siddaramaiah said.
The State Government will continue to actively engage with China and explore all possible avenues to make them our valued partners in building of a strong and prosperous Karnataka, he said.
Expression of Interest (EoIs) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) worth 3 Billion USD were signed at the Forum.
The sixth India-China Forum is jointly hosted by the State Government, the Government of China, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), China-India Friendship Association (CIFA), and Podar Enterprise.
Fortune Plus and International Business Linkage Forum (IBLF) are the organisers of the event attended by over 400 delegates, including over 200 from China and several high-level representations of Provincial Governments and Chairman of leading companies.
Large and Medium Industries Minister R V Deshpande said as the Host Partner State, Karnataka expects trade and investments between India and China would increase as India sees big opportunities to attract Chinese companies to Make in India besides attracting bring investments and also employment opportunities.
“Karnataka is an ideal first choice for investment as one of the most entrepreneurial states on the country. There are huge opportunities for collaboration between Karnataka and China,’’ Deshpande said.
Huawei has already invested 170 million USD in its new R&D in Bengaluru and accommodates 5000 engineers.
With demand for Chinese telecom and power equipment , Chinese firms have opportunistic to set up sector specific industrial parks in Karnataka, Deshpande said pointing out that the State with 20 sector specific policies, huge talent pool, one of the fastest growing economies in the country is undoubtedly an attractive investment destination for Chinese firms.
Bengaluru is the largest hub of semi-conductor design companies outside of Bay Area, California with 70% of the country's chip designers working and Brownfield ESDM clusters have been proposed for Bengaluru, Mysuru and Tumakuru, Deshpande said adding that Karnataka has set up a Rs 100 crore semi-conductor venture capital fund.
Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT, BT & Tourism, Subhash Desai, Minister of Industries Government of Maharashtra, Luo Zhaohui, Ambassador of China to India, Liu Jin Song, Charge de Affairs and Minister, Chinese Embassy, New Delhi, Wang Xiaodong, Vice Governor of Hebei Province, Ms. Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC and Kamal Bali, Chairman of CII, Karnataka & MD, Volvo India participated in the function.
It may recalled that the Fourth and Fifth China India Forum were organised in Mumbai and Jaipur which were a grand success. Over 200 Chinese delegates attended each of the Forum with equally strong Indian participation. It saw an exchange of various ideas, business proposals and Government Interactions.