Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel addressed over 100 business leaders of China at a roadshow in Guangzhou on Monday with a view to collaborate across various sectors.
Following the roadshow, as many as 12 MoUs were signed at the Chinese province. On the sidelines of the business meet, CM Patel had high-level discussions with the representatives of Guangdong Committee of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
In her address at Guangzhou, Patel called for developing mutual cooperation in all spheres between provinces of the two great nations. She touched an emotive chord by highlighting the cultural ties through Buddhism that bind India and China.
While drawing similarities between Gujarat and Guangdong she highlighted the achievements of Gujarat as one of the most progressive States in India. She emphasised the high share of manufacturing and exports in Gujarat's economy.
Stressing on the need to develop better commercial and cultural ties between Gujarat and Guangdong, Patel said that during the President Xi Jinping's visit to Gujarat in September 2014, sister agreements were signed between Gujarat-Guangdong, Ahmedabad-Guangzhou in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit to China will take these agreements forward, she added.
She identified the sectors such as engineering, textiles, automotive and ancillary parts, chemicals, petrochemicals and renewable energy as areas of potential investments in Gujarat. In the meeting, a presentation was shown outlining Gujarat's initiatives towards building an enabling environment for doing business. The presentation also highlighted key projects of Gujarat like GIFT city, DREAM city, DMIC and Mundra SEZ.
later in the day, Patel was hosted by lin Musheng, Senior Advisor to the Guangdong Government at Guangdong Government House. During the luncheon meeting, she exchanged thoughts on common areas of interest between Guangdong and Gujarat. The two leaders agreed upon stronger cultural ties, leading to long term relationship between Gujarat and China.