The largest Chinatown complex in South-East Europe opened earlier today in Romania, in Afumati city, 16 km from Bucharest, following an investment of around EUR 150 million, made by 19 Chinese businessmen. The complex covers 40 hectares, which host 3,275 commercial areas, 1,380 logistic warehouses, cafes, restaurants, casinos, banks and even kindergartens.

Romanian prime minister Emil Boc attended the opening ceremonies and said he expected more Chinese investments in Romania,  given the new law for public - private investments.

A second step for the China Town project, expected to begin until the end of 2011, is to design and develop a traditional Chinese-like environment and a metropolitan shopping center. The objective is to create a multicultural shopping area within the next ten years.

China Town's management is made up of Pan Jidong, a Chinese businessman who has been doing business in Romania since 1992, Alexandru Ioan - Wang Yan, a Romanian businessman of Chinese nationality, and Shengfei Weng. Chinatown Romania Group was founded in March, 2010, by 19 Chinese businessmen.

Chinatown is a city in miniature where Chinese minority lives. It is found in all major cities of the world, like New York, San Francisco, Sydney, Paris or London.

With a population estimated between 70,000 and 150,000, Chinatown in New York is the largest Chinatown in the United States, becoming home to Chinese immigrants, as well as a tourist destination.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Chinatownromania.com)