​Akhilesh wants Chinese companies to ‘Make in UP’! No, it’s not a joke!

When the entire nation is chanting the mantra of ‘Make in India,’ it seems that the catch phrase of Sino-Indian diplomacy ‘Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai’ has inspired Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to come up with a Chinese manufacturing zone (CMZ) in order to motivate Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in the state. This was revealed in an Economic Times report.

D S Rawat, secretary general of ASSOCHAM, who met Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday, told the financial daily that Chinese companies have expressed interest in investing in Uttar Pradesh which could expect pumping in of at least Rs one lakh crore.

Nearly 50 Chinese companies were in touch with this industry body for setting up of an exclusive manufacturing hub in the state. Rawat told ET, "They want to invest by creating a 'Chinese manufacturing zone' in India and UP suits their needs the best."

Rawat further asserted that Akhilesh Yadav is "very excited" about the prospects and talked about providing land and other facilities for the manufacturing zone in Mathura. "The chief minister was told about Chinese companies' willingness to invest in UP and he was excited. He said that he was ready to welcome them and will not let this opportunity slip," he added.

ASSOCHAM, which is one of the apex trade associations of India, was preparing a project report regarding proposal of the Chinese companies.

The chief minister also said that senior officials would be sent to hold meeting with the representatives of Chinese companies, said the secretary general of ASSOCHAM.

"We told the CM that if his government provides land and gives some rebate to willing Chinese companies, they will create their own zone. They want to bring 100 other companies with them. If this project succeeds then it will change the industrial map and fate of the state. The state will get atleast Rs one lakh crore investment from Chinese companies. Besides, other countries will get ready to invest in UP," Rawat told ET.

If this project turn into a reality, Chinese companies would provide direct employment to 30,000 people and indirect employment to three lakh people.