SEZ to come up near Shimoga

The Karnataka government has proposed to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) near Shimoga to promote textiles and IT sector.

"This is the third SEZ in the state after Mangalore and Hassan. The intention is to promote industries, especially export-oriented units, and to generate employment," Karnataka's outgoing industries and commerce principal secretary Lakshmi Venkatachalam said here on Saturday.

She was addressing an interactive session on foreign trade policy, organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Indian Exporters Organisations.

Venkatachalam pointed out that a number of SEZs were also being promoted by the private sector in Karnataka. "However, they faced a unique problem with regard to the notification. I urge the Centre to go in for early notification of the SEZs to ensure the investors' interests are protected," she added.

The new Karnataka Industrial Policy (2006-2011) will be announced shortly. It includes an updated version of the state's export policy. We have chalked out a number of programmes to promote industries of all sectors," she added.

Director general of foreign trade K T Chacko said that the Centre-sponsored 'Focus Town' scheme will be reworked soon.

"The scheme is aimed at providing basic infrastructure to towns of exports excellence. By reworking the scheme, we intend to bring more towns under the beneficiary list," he added.

He said that the Centre aimed to improve exports by providing a number of incentives to the industries. Many industry representatives participated in the interactive session.