TN govt to set up Rs 3,068 cr shipyard at Ennore

Chennai, Jan 23 (UNI) Leading infrastructure provider Larsen and Toubro would develop a Shipyard at a cost of Rs 3,068 crore in Ennor near here, Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala announced in the state assembly today.

Delivering his customary address to the House in the new year, he said the proposed shipyard would provide employment to about 10,000 people.

''Preliminary works for the construction of another shipyard in Cuddalore district are underway'', he added.

He also informed that the Tamil Nadu Government's new industrial policy would generate about 20 lakh jobs in the next four years.

''The government has so far signed 12 MoUs with major companies like Motorola, Dell Computers, Samsung and Renault-Nissan for investments in the state to the tune of Rs 15,083 crore'', he said adding ''of them, four companies have already started their operations.

Mr Baranala claimed that these industries created direct and indirect employment for 1,37,140 persons.

He also pointed out that Hyundai was in the proceess of expanding its existing production capacity to produce 6,30,000 cars annually, with an investment of Rs 4,000 crore.

''In addition, Ford has proposed to expand its present production facility to produce an additional two lakh cars per year with an investment of Rs 1,800 crore'', he said adding ''the fact that these two existing car manufacturers in Tamil Nadu have again chosen to further expand their operations.'' Mr Baranala also pointed out that the state government has decided to encourage small industries through various incentives.

''This package of incentives will be unveiled in the form of a Small Industries Policy Shortly'', he said, adding ''this policy will provide special incentives to agro processing industries.'' He pointed out that ten lakh persons would get employment from the large number of new small industrial units that were likely to be establised due to this initative.

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