Another National Investment Manufacturing Zone to come up near Ongole

HYDERABAD: The state 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 N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday.

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 per cent to 25 per cent. "Japan, Germany, the UK, Russia and China have shown keen interest in investing in these NIMZs and things are moving," the Union minister said. Earlier in the day, the minister 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 power loom 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 said also yes to establishing the 'World Pharma Trade Centre' in Hyderabad for which the state government has already earmarked 5 acres of land. 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. He added that around 1,000 students would be trained annually in this international standard institute in Leatherware Fashion Technology and the required funds would be given by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The minister also asked the government officials to revalidate the previously sanctioned Mega Tanning Cluster Complex at Kothapatnam of Nellore district.

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 the efforts to launch "E-Biz Project" by September-October this year, as Andhra Pradesh is the first state to start single window permissions through online in the Industrial sector.