Moradabad to get SEZ uplift

The UP government's decision to set up an SEZ for handicrafts products at Moradabad is set to usher in rapid economic growth in the region as the SEZ will ensure the convergence of traditional crafts, skill, art and better infrastructural facilities at one place.

The SEZ is being developed to provide a congenial environment and facilities to art metal entrepreneurs to boost the productivity of export-oriented units in accordance with the changing demands of international markets.

"Moradabad has the distinction of being one of the first 10 SEZs to be notified by the government," said UP State Industrial Development Corporation MD CK Tewari.

"Moradabad's contribution in the exports of handicrafts is Rs 1,500-2,000 crore per year. The national export of art metal registered an increase of 8.86 per cent in 2005-06. However, the export of these products went up by 14.98 per cent, which was worth Rs 1,499.05 crore during April-August in 2006 as compared to Rs 1,303.75 crore in 2005-06," said Tewari.

Till now there were three small industrial areas in Moradabad""in Harthal, Lakri Fazalpur, and Peetal Nagri, where candle stands, vases, lamps and artifacts with intricate designs were the main products.

Tewari said under phase one of the SEZ , 469 plots of different sizes, on 421.56 acres of land, had been allotted to entrepreneurs.

"In view of the overwhelming response and demand for more plots in the Moradabad SEZ, this project is proposed to be expanded in phase two, for which 676 acres of adjacent land is being acquired, said Tewari.

He added that it was imperative for exporters and entrepreneurs to involve small scale cottage artisans actively in their units, which are supposed to be set up in the SEZ.

The state government has responded to the long-standing demand of Moradabad entrepreneurs and has announced relaxation in stamp duty to entrepreneurs setting up units in the Moradabad SEZ.

Exemptions from various state-level taxes and levies, such as trade tax, turnover tax and mandi tax, development tax and local bodies tax and others are available as permissible under the SEZ policy.

To safeguard the interest of labourers and for the proper and smooth operation of business and trade, labour laws have been simplified by the government.

Infrastructure facilities such as development of a green-belt to keep the area pollution-free, boundary wall, internal development, security system, which includes a fully functional police station, are already in place.

Tewari said, "Infrastructural development and facilities have instilled a sense of confidence and enterprise in the industrialists and they are looking forward to investing and setting up units there. Around 10 new units are under construction in the newly developed SEZ and are expected to become operational by the end of this year."

To enhance technical knowledge and acumen of artisans a government-sponsored metal crafts institute has been established at Moradabad, besides an Inland Container Depot, Design and Training Centre, to organise training sessions to keep up with the world-class technology.

A helipad for better and quick transportation from abroad is in the pipeline.

Many other facilities are to be provided in due course of time for the ever-evolving technology in casting, electroplating, finished design, international export market, modern packing, and latest die-casting facilities for brass, zinc, iron and establishment of facility for silver and gold plating and metal testing laboratory.