26.5.13

Another NIMZ granted to Andhra

Andhra Pradesh has been granted another National Investment Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) near Ongole in Prakasam district. This was announced by Union commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma at a press conference jointly addressed by him and chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy.
This will be in addition to the two NIMZs already cleared in principle by the central government in Medak and Chittoor districts. The zones will be developed as integrated industrial townships with state-of-the-art infrastructure, clean and energy-efficient technology and skill development facilities. Andhra Pradesh would be the second state after Maharashtra to have more than two NIMZs. The Centre has already given in principal approval for 12 NIMZs, which will get several incentives like exemption from capital gains tax and liberalised labour and environmental norms.
These zones are being set up under the National Manufacturing Policy of 2011, with an aim to increase the share of the manufacturing sector in the GDP from the present 16% to 25%. “Japan, Germany, the UK, Russia and China have shown keen interest in investing in these NIMZs,” the Union minister said. Earlier in the day, he laid the foundation stone for the National Institute of Design (NID) at Gachibowli.
Stressing on more employment opportunities, the minister said the manufacturing sector would provide jobs to 150 million youth who would join the work force by 2025.
Complimenting the state for making good progress in the designing sector, he said the Centre is ready to extend financial help to 46 more handloom clusters in the state. At present, it is providing aid to 52 clusters, he said. Sharma also agreed to provide health insurance to workers in the powerloom industry by designing a special package. At the request of the chief minister, Sharma agreed to sanction 'mega clusters' at Dharmavaram, where 47,000 silk looms are present.
The minister also agreed to establish a ‘World Pharma Trade Centre’ in Hyderabad. Sharma directed the officials to make all efforts to lay the foundation for Footwear Designing and Development Institute (FDDI) at Hyderabad within 30 to 45 days time.
Stating that Visakhapatnam has become a key centre of activities for cargo and trade with foreign countries, the minister agreed to sanction 'Indian Institute of Foreign Trade' (IIFT) at Visakhapatnam.
He also agreed to start one branch of 'Central Cottage Emporium' in the state. The Union minister congratulated Kiran Kumar for his efforts to launch ‘E-Biz Project’ by September-October this year, as AP is the first state to start single-window permissions online in the industrial sector.

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