Dubai:
In October this year, the Meydan Group LLC would have propelled its ambitions to the international arena by hosting the first ever race meeting in the city of Chengdu in China.
The race meet is just a part of the overall horse racing project that Meydan and the authorities in Chengdu are collaborating on. When all the elements fall into place, the vision is to ensure that Chengdu will be home to a full-fledged racing industry with all its corresponding divisions.
“China has been one of our major aims,” admitted Al Tayer to Gulf News. “We have wanted an association for many years. Bringing an equine industry, basically racing, and the other components that will follow is important for our brands. We go to Europe to use the Meydan brand and be partners in certain activities and races, but to bring the whole industry to China was a direction from the leadership.
“Our team has worked hard over the last two to three years and we will go to China organising the first race meet ever with the support of the Chinese government, our partners and Meydan during October this year.”
According to Al Tayer, this move should, in the future, open the flood gates for mutually rewarding business dealings. “This is a major step for us toward not just having flat races, but for future collaborations in China with the Meydan brand working diligently and counting on the support of the Chinese.’’
“We are taking the important facets of the racing industry which can be turned into business opportunities,” stated Al Tayer. “The breeding is something that we will take there at the right time; the auction of horses; racing know-how. What we would like to do is transfer all this knowledge for the Chinese to drive forward themselves. I would be the happiest person if that happens. We would like to stay close to them and build a relationship.”
Meydan’s Chinese aspirations are a springboard to the future. ‘’Globally China is a major player,’’said Al Tayer. ‘’When you become successful you feed off each other so I believe that there are a lot of opportunities.’’
Chengdu is the capital of the Sichuan province in China. It is considered by the Chinese to be one of the most liveable cities, attracting domestic and foreign businesses. With a population of 15 million it is the fourth largest city in China apart from being the hub for commerce, finance, transportation, advanced technology, manufacturing, modern agriculture and logistics. Unlike other cities Chengdu pays a lot of attention to environmentally friendly development, eco-agriculture, creative industries and modern services. Given these strengths, the Dubai think-tank’s focus on Chengdu was not without purpose.
Actual overseas investment in Chengdu totalled $6.55billion in 2011, an increase of 34.9 per cent from the year before.
