Haryana attracts Rs 8,000 cr FDI, 25% seats for women in ITIs

New Delhi, Nov 15 (UNI) Haryana has attracted a foreign direct investment (FDI) of Rs 8,000 crore, constituting more than one-third of the total investment of Rs 28,000 crore in all the sectors over the last two years.

The State has also reserved 25 per cent seats for women in all the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to provide trained manpower to entrepreneurs in all the sectors willing to set up their units, thereby generating maximum employment opportunities.

Briefing mediapersons here today, Haryana Chief Secretary Promilla Issar said the demand for industrial plots swelled in the State to such an extent that the Haryana State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) was now planning to acquire 17,000 acres of land in different parts to set up more industrial parks.

HSIIDC has allotted 1,425 industrial plots in various estate projects which are expected to catalyse domestic and foreign investment worth Rs 4,400 crore. Besides, it has also allotted 600 acres of land to Maruti Udyog Ltd at IMT, Manesar. The total investment on this project by Maruti and Suzuki which includes setting up of a diesel engine unitis pegged at Rs 10,000 crore. It is also developing Technology Parks at IMT Manesar.

''The State has adopted a multi-pronged strategy for industrial growth and also for attracting investment on a large scale. The focus is on development of infrastructure and simplification of rules and regulations for the industry. Many policy initiatives have also been taken to promote an investment-freindly environment,'' Ms Issar said.

Besides, an unprecedented flow of investment of Rs 28,000 crore as consequent to new industrial policy, projects of more than Rs 60,000 crore are also in the pipeline.

To promote the Food Processing and Agro-Industries sector, the State Government is setting up a National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) at Kundli (Sonipat) at a cost of Rs 245 crore. Two Food Parks at Rai (Sonipat) and Saha (Ambala) are being set up by HSIIDC. With the Centre's assistance the Corporation is also setting up four such Food Parks at Narwana and Dabwali.

An irradiation centre has been developed in private sector at Bahalgarh and laboratories are being set up to test food products as per international standards.

The entrepreneurship development programmes are also being conducted to train entrepreneurs to set up food processing industries.

Haryana Chief Secretary further informed that agro-based food processing, software development, information technology, bio-technology, apparel manufacturing and scientific equipment top the list of the government's priorities.

Ms Issar informed that 29 big and medium-scale industries and 1,756 small units have been established in the state at an estimated cost of Rs 416 crore, providing employment fo 16,780 people.

In addition to this, 378 Letters of Intent for 378 industrial units with an investment of Rs 5,896 crore, have been received.

These will generate employment for about 75,000 people. The earnings of the state from exports have gone up to Rs 25,000 crore.

The Hooda Government is also coming up with a Terminal Market for perishable fruits and vegetables at Gannaur spread over 500 acres with a provision of cold storage chain. Haryana produces 10 lakh tonnes of fruits and 30 lakh tonnes of vegetables annually.

A few entrepreneurs have adopted the ITIs with a view to provide employment to the people within their units after completion of their training in these institutes.

Besides manufacturing sectors, Haryana is also strengthening service sector institutes in health, hospitality and related areas.

Presently, 16 ITIs are selected as centres of excellence.

UNI