 |
Investment Helps Boost Economy of Three Gorges Area
This is a typical factory in the Three Gorges area. It's funded by enterprises from elsewhere in China and employs people relocated from areas that will be flooded when the dam is built. The factories where they used to work will also end up submerged when the dam's reservoir fills with water.
Since the early 90's, the number of factories like this has grown dramatically in Chongqing. The income of their employees has also soared.
This woman says that she now makes some twenty times the money she used to earn.
As a result of the Three Gorges project, over one thousand enterprises in Chongqing will end up under water. New factories have to be built or workers will lose their jobs. But the city has limited resources.
LUO MIN (Chongqing Relocation Administration)said: "We've been encouraging enterprises from elsewhere in China to come to Chongqing. They have the funding, technology and expertise we need. In return, they can reap more profits from joint ventures."
Said: "So far, hundreds of enterprises from across the country have invested in Chongqing. While creating jobs for local communities, they've also registered increased sales. For this reason, more and more investors are coming to the city, including some foreign companies."
Seagram is one of the firsts to come. At first, the multinational beverage company got involved in an aid program to help local orange growers. Later, it decided to invest more than ten million dollars in a joint venture to produce orange juice. Managers are upbeat about their business outlook.
RENE TREVINO, General Manager (Chongqing Seagram Co., Ltd.) said: "Of course, we have to be optimistic because I think we have the people who are needed. We have the expertise. It's available here."
When the project is completed in four years, it will employ some ten thousand relocated farmers. Though this is only a small portion of the population who have to be resettled, they are at least able to make a living even though they are losing their land to rising waters in the Three Gorges.
In This Section
|