UPA keen to develop chem industry infrastructure

Mumbai, Sept 20: The UPA government at the Centre is keen to develop the infrastructural facilities as required by the chemicals and petrochemical industry of the country.

Addressing the concluding day of the two-day CII Chem Summit, 2006, here today, Minister of State for Chemicals, Fertilisers and Parliamentary Affairs, B K Handique, said the UPA government has undertaken the much needed thrusts on public-private sector partnership in building up infrastructure.

Responding to the proposal of department of chemicals, the Shipping Ministry had undertaken major capacity addition at various ports, he said. It is proposed to create facility for handling traffic in respect of chemical and other liquids upto 53 million ton by 2013-14, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary (Pharmaceuticals), Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, G S Sandhu, said various issues concerning to infrastructural facilities for the chemicals industries were under the active consideration of the government. About the proposed petroleum and petrochemical investment regions, he said these regions shall have world class infrastructure facilities with hassle-free environment.

He hoped that these regions would reap the benefits of costing, networking and greater efficiency through use of common infrastructure and support services. He outlined the need of adoption of latest technologies for the industry and stressed that mergers and acquisitions must be adopted to make the industry more competitive in the global market.

UNI