First ever apparel park in West Bengal

Kolkata, Oct 15: West Bengal is all set to operationalise its first Apparel Park sprawling across 12.5 acre at Mahishbathan in Salt Lake area of the state capital.

The idea of the exclusive park was concieved by Eigmef Apparel Park Limited (EAPL) for which a special purpose vehicle was floated by the Eastern India Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Federation (EIGMEF). As many as 30 parks had been sanctioned under the SIPP scheme of the Textile Ministry by the Union Government. The Apparel Park is one of its kinds in the eastern region, official sources said.

The Union Government will pay 40 per cent of the total project cost and as many as 60 manufacturers will set up shop under one roof, sources added.

Once fully operational, the park will fetch investments worth Rs 400-450 crore, sources informed.

The park will be operationalised on a G+5 format as it will have garmenting, knitting, labelling and packaging units. But no processing and printing units will be allowed to function as they lead to environmental degradation caused by pollution, sources added.

'' While most other textile parks are involved in the spinning, processing and weaving, the Apparel Park will only make a value addition to the garments, '' sources said.

At the park, all the manufacturers will be offered a world class manufacturing hub, complete with adequate infrastructure and other facilities.

Most of the big names from Kolkata have opted to set up units at the park. Well-known brands like Mickey, Effort, Turtle, Cargo and even Koutons from Delhi are making a beeline to the park, sources stated.

UNI