Centre approves SEZ proposal for Nagaland

Kohima, Sep 1: The Centre has approved the Nagaland government's proposal for product specific agro-food processing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by the Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (NIDC).

Official sources said here today that Nagaland Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce Alemtemshi Jamir held a meeting with the Union Commerce Ministry at New Delhi, where the SEZ for agricultural products was approved, unlike the earlier multi-products SEZ.

State Director of Industries and Commerce G Keppen Rengma said it was proposed to convert the existing Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPPI) at Ganesh Nagar in Dimapur into a SEZ to be promoted by the NIDC.

Although superficial construction of the EPPI had been completed many years ago on an area of 125 acres, the new venture would still require a lot of work, official sources added.

Talking about the advantages of the SEZ, the sources said the new arrangement would absorb surplus agricultural products which were presently unused.

Pineapples, passion fruits, bamboo shoot, medicinal plants and aromatic herbs, including lemon grass and Aloe Vera, were some of the products being considered for the proposal, sources added.

UNI