15 Sep 2019  |   06:19am IST

Dragon knocks at the doors of Goa

Chinese delegation says it can invest almost USD 1 billion in construction sector
Dragon knocks at the doors of Goa

VIKANT SAHAY


PANJIM: The Chinese dragon enters Goa knocking at the doors of State ministers expressing their willingness to invest in the construction sector. The delegation says they can deliver in time and are capable of investing nearly USD one billion. The immediate target for this delegation is to get work in the State and help build Film City or an IT park. The Goa government is contemplating setting up a film city or film hub in the State since 2016 with an expectation that it would generate revenue at par with the tourism or now stalled mining industry.

A part of delegation Dr Ronson Lau, the Group Chairman of Star Yield Group of China based in Hong Kong, told Herald, “If we are given a contract we can invest up to one billion US dollars. For us, Goa happens to be one of the iconic places in India. If we are able to set up big building here in the State, it will help a lot of people get jobs and will also help boost Goa’s economy.”

In China the Star Yield Group is at present, engaged in construction of airports, stadiums, commercial centres and high-rise buildings. The CEO of the company, Brian Ho, told Herald that, “at present we are busy constructing the tallest tower in the world which will be 1007 metres high. We call it the Kingdom Tower which is being built in Saudi Arabia and is likely to open by the end of next year and there are lot of components in this building.”

The Kingdom Tower also known as Jeddah Tower is boasting to have a gross floor area of 2.6 million sq ft (243,866 sq mts) over 252 stories, it will also feature the world's highest observation deck at 2,178 feet (664 metres) off the ground, with a 5,382 sq ft (500 sq mt) outdoor platform. When the Jeddah Tower opens in 2020, it will knock Dubai's iconic (now tallest) Burj Khalifa off its throne as the tallest skyscraper in the world by 236 feet (72 metres). Construction of the landmark is estimated to cost USD 1.4 billion.

Ho also added that if given an opportunity they would like to build a film city in Goa which will be of world standards as it is in places like Hollywood in Los Angeles, California in USA. “We are reputed for making world standard building and we want to do the same for Goa,” added Brian Ho.

The delegation also met the IT Minister of Goa Ms Jennifer Monserrate on Saturday morning. “We are also interested to create an IT or industrial park in Goa but at the moment we need to know whether Goa will be interested or not,” said Ho. 

The delegation which has a bouquet of construction solutions is also looking at areas of creating inland waterways and jetties. The delegation has also enrolled with the Vibrant Goa and is likely to join with a big delegation in the next month event. “Although the time is short we will try to bring in as many delegates as possible for the Vibrant Goa event,” said Paul Cho Kwai Shun, chairman of the Sino India Trade and Culture Promotion Council.

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar