Karnataka plans 3 economic zones

Karnataka is planning three special economic zones and a exclusive zone for the garment industry.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Karnataka minister for large and medium-scale industries, infrastructure, and civil aviation, P G R Sindhia, said Mangalore would have a petrochemical and an IT software/hardware zone and Hassan a sector specific zone.

"With pressure from the garment industry represented by various trade bodies, the government is seriously considering a special zone for garments," he added.

The state's exports have touched Rs 50,000 crore this year, compared to Rs 35,000 crore registered last year. The state has witnessed growth in the manufacturing sector with many companies going in for capacity expansion and bagging export orders, said Sindhia.

Seeing this growth, the government through its consultancy arm Tescok has identified five districts and taluks which are backward for promoting industrial investments.

"The areas indentified areas are Harihara, KGK, Tumkur and Dandeli. In six months an action plan will be ready," he added.