Gulf countries ambassadors visit Chengdu

On the evening of Nov 28th, ambassadors to China from four Gulf countries visited Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone to look into the planning and construction of the Tianfu Economic Zone.

The ambassadors were Bibi Alalawi from Bahrain; Mohammad Saleh Al-Thuwaikh from Kuwait, Abdulmalek S.M.Al-Muaalemi from Yemen and Abdullah Salleh AL-Saadi from Oman, the chairman of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

"I've been to Chengdu seven times and am very impressed with the city. It is well worth learning post-disaster reconstruction in a scientific and rapid approach," said Abdullah Salleh AL-Saadi. Ten days after the May 12 Great Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008, he and the Oman delegation arrived at Chengdu to suggest materials for disaster relief. He went to Chengdu many times later to visit aid construction projects.

Abdullah Salleh AL-Saadi said he and other ambassadors of the Gulf Cooperation Council came to Chengdu to visit the Tianfu Economic Zone.

"I think Tianfu Economic Zone is well planned. It looks like a simple collection to gather a large number of hi-tech companies in a region, but it will generate immeasurable build-up effects," said Abdullah Salleh AL-Saadi. He believed Tianfu Economic Zone would be an important force to promote future development of Chengdu and western China.

To facilitate the smooth development of hi-tech companies, Tianfu Economic Zone will be the perfect infrastructures to attract more hi-tech companies. In recent years, Chengdu has maintained fast economic and social development. The business circles have thought highly of Chengdu for its unique competitiveness and strategic position in economy driving.

"Although we have rich oil reserves, we remain faced with sustainable development problems. Chengdu has rich resources. The construction of Tianfu Economic Zone will supply continuous motive power and infinite possibilities for the future development of Chengdu," said Abdullah Salleh AL-Saadi. Other Gulf countries have also shown rich interests to invest in Chengdu.

At the end of 2010, Forbes magazine listed Chengdu as one of the fastest growing cities for the next 10 years in the world. The world has thus focused attention on Chengdu. Abdullah Salleh AL-Saadi said he would serve as a bridge facilitating Middle East companies to settle in Tianfu Economic Zone and contribute to business exchanges between Chengdu and Middle Eastern countries.

"In recent years, Oman has built up economic ties with China. Last year, the economic cooperation amounted to 16 billion U. S. dollars between the two countries. I will recommend Tianfu Economic Zone to more companies in the Middle East. I hope they develop successfully," said Abdullah Salleh AL-Saadi. He said Gulf countries, including Oman, have rich oil and natural gas reserves, but they need to import many other materials. "I sincerely hope Chengdu companies could do business with Gulf countries."