Karnataka - Belgaum   

MLA makes out case for setting up SEZ in Belgaum district

Staff Correspondent

Minister P.G.R. Sindhia is said to be convinced with the proposal

BELGAUM: The Minister for Large and Medium Industries, P.G.R. Sindhia, is said to be convinced of the need to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Belgaum to take advantage of the city's good infrastructure, skilled human resource and access to ports and connectivity by rail and air.

After Bangalore, Belgaum is the only industrial centre in the State to record an export business accounting for over Rs. 1,000 crores in a year. At least 6,800 containers of industrial goods such as aluminium power, castings, automobile components, sugar, helmets, cotton yarn, T-shirts and granites are exported to 10 countries, including the United States, Japan, Germany, South Africa. That apart, Belgaum is situated close to two ports — one in Goa and the other Karwar — which are at a distance of 100 km to 120 km. The city has air links. It has also broadgauge railway connection to major cities and towns of the country. Thus, a case for setting up of a Special Economic Zone in the city was made out by the MLA from Bagewadi, Abhaykumar Patil (BJP), at a special meeting of industrialists and elected representatives presided over by Mr. Sindhia in Bangalore recently.

Talking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Patil complimented Mr. Sindhia for taking such a novel initiative aimed at exploring the possibilities of setting up SEZs in the State. He said the SEZ was conceptualised by the National Democratic Alliance Government through a revision made in the Export-Import Policy 1997-2002. It had also announced special incentives, including a 10-year tax holiday.

However, though the SEZs can be set up under private sector, it was not possible to make large investments in this regard for private industrialists in the district. Therefore, he stressed the need for Government investment to set up the zone, which will boost the industrial economy of not only Belgaum but also north Karnataka. By doing so, the Government to some extent could set right the regional imbalance haunting the region for long. He also urged the Government to lower the maximum turnover of Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 2 lakhs in respect of rural industry to enable more units to avail themselves of incentives and subsidies.

The BJP's State Raitha Morcha General Secretary, Shankargouda Patil, urged for providing an air-conditioned container on the Goa-Nizamuddin Express from Belgaum to facilitate transportation of flowers to New Delhi. He said there was demand for flowers from Belgaum in the national capital but the lack of an air-conditioned container was impeding the floriculture market.

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