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Rajasthan going strong in times of downturn

JAIPUR: Economic meltdown may be a cause for worry everywhere right now but Rajasthan is likely to witness a flurry of activity, both in the industry and the service sector, in the coming months with many companies queuing up to start Special Economic Zones in the State.

Political stability, an industry-friendly atmosphere, availability of skilled manpower, improved infrastructure, land availability and proximity to the national Capital are seemingly the factors driving them in hordes to this desert State.

Though Rajasthan may be behind the front-running States such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat in terms of the number of SEZs in operation, it is going to catch up with them soon as, apart from the existing three SEZs in the government sector and one mega-SEZ — Mahindra World City — in the joint sector, there are as many as 17 of them in various stages of being established.

Rajasthan had its SEZ in Sitapura Industrial Area near here specialising in gem and jewellery even before Parliament in 2006 passed the SEZ Act, 2005. The upcoming SEZs are a good mixture of IT and traditional sectors with which the State is identified such as handicrafts, textiles, gem, jewellery, ornaments and building stones.

“Despite the talk of economy slowing down and dwindling exports, the Rajasthan scene on the SEZ front is very encouraging going by the projects on the anvil,” says the General Manager (IT and SEZ) of the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), A.K. Gupta.

“The atmosphere generally conducive for industries in the State seems to be the reason for the continuing interest. Moreover, Jaipur and Alwar hold a special fascination to investors due to their proximity to Delhi,” he adds.

RIICO is a partner in the multi-product Mahindra World City which is coming up near here in an area of 3,000 acres. Located on National Highway No.8, Mahindra World City, with a total project cost of Rs.1,500 crore, has IT/ITes, light engineering, handicrafts, apparels, gem and jewellery, logistics and warehousing as the focus sectors. So far, 27 companies have signed up for space here. The project is expected to provide 1 lakh jobs by 2012.

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