Russia, Germany express interest in NIMZs

US, Britain also keen on NIMZs, which are industrial townships benchmarked to the best mfg hubs in the world

Russia, Germany and some other countries have expressed keen interest in participating in the proposed national investment and manufacturing zones (NIMZs), Parliament was informed today.

The government has announced National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) which envisages setting up NIMZs, which are industrial townships, benchmarked to the best manufacturing hubs in the world.

"Strong expression of interest has been shown by Russia and Germany, both at the government and industry level," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

He also said that the US and Britain have also shown interest in the implementation of the NMP.

"No specific investment proposals in respect of NMIZs have been received from these countries," he added.

The NMP aims at increasing the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25 per cent and creating 100 million additional jobs over a decade.

So far the government has given in-principal approval for setting up of 12 NIMZs in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.