PANJIM: On the sidelines of the BRICS and BIMSTEC summit in Goa, the Chinese are set to rediscover and lay the old silk route to India, particularly Goa. However, this time, the ‘old silk route’ is likely to see one of the most modern of technologies into operation, provided the Goa government grabs the opportunity. Yes, the Chinese companies are bullish and they are keen to make Goa a center or hub for 3D printing technology in the field of information technology.
An 11-member delegation of Chinese investors of the Sino India Trade and Cultural Promotion Council is visiting Goa from October 13-16 and it is happening in exciting times as countries converge in Goa for BRICS and BIMSTEC Summit. The council’s investment foray into Goa is in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s signature Make in India campaign and will possibly be the biggest ever Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) push into Goa in recent history.
Leading the delegation is Paul Cho Kwai Shun, chairman of the Sino India Trade and Cultural Promotion Council, who is also an entrepreneurial evangelist, a business ambassador and an investor in multiple businesses in China ranging from deep sea fishing to technology. A frequent traveller to Goa and India, Shun is a sworn India lover who has organised multiple trips of business groups and investors from mainland China to India. The council’s importance is proved by the fact that the Chinese government has accorded Shun the status of Overseas Chinese Leader empowered to reach out to Indian businesses and Central and State governments as an ambassador of Chinese investment and entrepreneurship in India.
Speaking exclusively to Herald Shun said, “We are ready to invest between Rs 300 to Rs 2000 crore but for that we need to sign an MoU and with government approvals as the finance is ready. All we have to do is shift the base to Goa and start production. Not only that, we also want to set up entire industrial park of 3D printing, R&D etc. We have done research and the raw material for 3D printing is available in Goa. We are not talking anything in the air. We are ready.”
The delegation comprises investors in the field of new materials and 3D printing and allied research and development, media and entertainment (including film and television, publishing), infrastructure (including highways, bridges, convention centres, film city, theme parks, real estate, theme infrastructure), internet finance, network finance, financial research, training, consulting, communications, toy production, architectural decoration, cultural education and other services.
The Chinese who are considered world leaders in solar power technology, are also keen to develop solar parks to enable Goa self-sufficiency in clean and green energy. They are also exploring and will be sharing their technologies and developing Goa’s capacities in the field of solid waste management as they opine that Goa needs more of an Asian than a western technology. The Chinese have developed indigenous solid waste management technology that is apt to handle Asian as well as Indian type solid waste.
The Chinese are also excited to develop Goa as a media and entertainment destination. Having understood that the sector attracts the maximum investment in India currently, the Chinese would be looking at investing in developing a comprehensive Film City, including a possibly permanent Secretariat for IFFI, a 8000-10,000 seater convention centre, multiplexes, production facilities including studios, editing suites etc, a five star hotel, a teleport facility amongst others in Goa.
