Commerce Minister Announces Many Industrial Projects in Rajasthan


Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry during his interaction with Shri Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Rajasthan has today reviewed the various projects for implementation in the State of Rajasthan. This meeting took place in the background of an earlier meeting between the officials of Department of Commerce, Government of India and State of Rajasthan in June 2010. The objective of the present meeting was to assess the progress made and the future roadmap for these projects as far as their implementation is concerned. The meeting was attended by Shri T. Srinivasan, Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan; Shri A.K. Mangotra, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce; and other senior officials from Government of India and State of Rajasthan.

The department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Government of India also made a detailed presentation before the Chief Minister on the Delhi - Mumbai industrial corridor. Specific measures were discussed to carry the project forward outlining opportunities for the State of Rajasthan in this project.

A number of projects were announced by the Minister Shri Anand Sharma:

Spices Board


Ø A Spices Park is proposed to be set up at Ramganj Mandi for processing, packaging and export of spices (especially coriander) from Rajasthan. The park will be set up in an area of 30-Acres at a total cost of around Rs. 15 Crores.



Leather Sector


Ø A Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) is proposed to be set up at Jodhpur at an estimated cost of around Rs. 100 Crores. This Institute will provide specialized training in Footwear Technology and Design.



DMIC


Ø Rajasthan will be the first state to have first National Manufacturing and Investment Zone (NMIZ) along with DMIC.



Ø DMIC envisages the following early bird projects:
a. Development of Knowledge City: to provide best possible infrastructure to institutions.



b. Aerotropolis: to emphasize on the cargo and MRO facilities along with other non aviation facilities like Business Park, Industrial Park, cargo warehousing park, distribution center, information technology complexes etc. besides passenger traffic.



c. Road Link Connecting Bhiwadi – Tapukara Industrial Complex via Ajarka to Neemrana : to create a corridor for attractive growth of economic activities within Neemrana-Khushera-Bhiwadi investment Region.



IIUS


Ø An Industrial Infrastructure Up-gradation centre will be set up, possibly along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). A detailed project report and the exact location is being finalized by the State Government.



MPEDA Schemes


Ø Plans to assist establishment of about 100 ornamental fish breeding units in the state in the five Districts of baswara, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Hanumangadh and Bharatpur. An amount of Rs. 4.20 Crores would be provided by MPEDA for this scheme.



APEDA Schemes


Ø APEDA will set up another Pack-House at Bassi for export of vegetables from Rajasthan.



Ø A Guar gum processing unit is being considered by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) for being set up around Jodhpur, which will provide value addition to this monopoly item presently being exported from the State in raw form. The State Government is required to prepare a detailed Project Report and submit the same to the Department of Commerce.



Skill Development Centre


Ø A Skill Development Centre will be set up by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in conjunction with the State Government to provide skills training for the unemployed youth of Rajasthan. The location will be decided by the State Government in conjunction with CII. Alwar and Jaipur are two the locations being considered.



Coffee Board


Ø Coffee Board is organizing workshops at the Krishi Utsav at Sriganganagar in August, 2010 and at the Trade Fair to be held to Jaipur in October, 2010 for training people on roasting and grinding of coffee.



Tea Board


Ø Deputy Chairman, Tea Board is visiting Jaipur this month to finalize the sites for setting up of Tea-Boutiques in Five Star Hotels, International Airports and tourist places in Rajasthan. Palace on wheels is also one of the target sites.



Other projects discussed in this meeting included ASIDE, establishment of footwear design and development centre and skill development centre in Rajasthan in consultation with the CII. As regards the development of the spices park at Jodhpur, a 30 acre plot has already been identified by the Govt. of Rajasthan. As regards the Industrial Infrastructure Up gradation Scheme (IIUS), the progress made for establishment of second IIUS centre was deliberated upon. The marine product exports development authority is also planning to establish 100 ornamental fish units in Rajasthan.



Discussions also took place for furthering the economic engagement of commodity board like Coffee and Tea in the state of Rajasthan for development of entrepreneurship and training for supporting trade and industry in Rajasthan.