Three SEZs to be developed in Himachal : CM

Shimla, Dec 19 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh government would be exploring the possibility of setting up of three Special Economic Zones (SEZs) at Solan, Kangra and Una.

Besides the government would also extend all possible assistance for the revival of the handicraft, handloom, khadi and village industry in the state to generate maximum rural employment to the artisans of the state.

This was revealed by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, while reviewing the progress of the Industries Department, HP State Finance Corporation, HP General Industries Corporation, HP Small Industries Development Corporation, HP Small Scale Industries and Export Corporation, Khadi and Village Industries Corporation, here today.

Chief Minister said that the need had emerged to develop SEZs in the state to meet the emerging demand of global industrialisation.

He said the government had proposed setting up of three such zones in the districts of Kangra, Solan and Una.

He said that with the development of such zones the entire state would be in a position to manufacture world class products and enter the international market of trading.

Mr Singh said the Rs 21 crore were being spent on infrastructure development in Baddi industrial area so that basic infrastructural facilities were created to match the best industrial standard.

He said that soon the Inland Container Depot would also be coming up in Baddi to facilitate the industrialists to import and export the required material from the area. He said the state government had already set-up the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority to monitor proper and planned development of the industrial sectors.

The Chief Minister said the state was rich in handloom and handicraft arts which is required to be promoted. He said since the activities are related to the rural artisans and their livelihooal, the state government would be extending all possible help to revive these activities by lending a supporting hand. f He said the state was known for quality handcrafts and handlooms and there existed a large market outside the state for selling these which required to be explored for boosting the commercial activities. He said the Tl1anka Painting, GuIer and Kangra paintings were the sole propriety of the state which needed to be promoted by training the young artists so that the art was patronised and promoted at the national and international level.

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