Maha promises support to Chinese firms looking to invest

Maharashtra Industries Minister Subhash Desai has offered state cooperation to two Chinese firms keen to invest in the state.
Desai held a meeting with delegates from two Chinese companies at Mantralaya (secretariat) yesterday and assured them government's help in setting up plants in Maharashtra.
Recently, the Shiv Sena, to which Desai belongs, had said "surgical strike" will be a fitting answer to the incursions by the Chinese Army in Arunachal Pradesh.
Desai assured the delegates about full cooperation regarding allotment of land, electricity and water supply.
One of these firms is an electrical/household appliances manufacturer headquartered in Beijiao.
The company intends to invest Rs 7,000 crore in the state and was seeking land near Supe or Khed industrial zones in Pune district, an official of the industries department said.

The other Chinese company is planning to invest Rs 6,700 crore in nuclear power generation plant in Maharashtra.

According to the official, Desai told the delegation that they should visit the places where they want the land and submit proposals.
"Desai also told them that his department will cooperate regarding obtaining permissions from other departments," he said.
The minister, meanwhile, told reporters yesterday that there were many Chinese products in the Indian market, and a Chinese company setting up a plant in the state would not affect the local companies. "Instead, it would be a fair competition and the investment will generate jobs," he claimed.

Desai, however, chose not to comment on what would be his party's stand on Chinese products. "We will declare our stand if situation demands so in future," he said.