The Hindu : Business : 58 industrial clusters identified for development in State

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58 industrial clusters identified for development in State

Staff Reporter

The programme will focus on small and medium units

The State Budget for 2008-09 has earmarked Rs. 5 crore
The programme will complement the Action Plan 2008-09

KOCHI: The State Department of Industries and Commerce has identified 58 industrial clusters that can be developed in the State across various sectors as part of a programme to boost industrial development.

The development programme, with focus on small and medium industrial units, stems from a viability study conducted in some of the Assembly segments in the State.

The new programme is also part of efforts by the State government to find its proper place for the Cluster Development Programme in the State that has met with considerable success.

The State Budget for 2008-09 has earmarked Rs. 5 crore as State contribution for the cluster development programme. The Industries Department has also identified more than 3,000 small and tiny units that need help.

The Cluster Development Programme will complement the Action Plan 2008-09 under which the Industries Department plans to launch an intensive campaign to help entrepreneurs establish new units. The programme is ambitious, targeting the establishment of more than 13,000 small and tiny enterprises. According to a study conducted by the Industries and Commerce Department, more than 50,000 employment opportunities can be generated through the programme. Investments of more than Rs. 1,000 crore will go into establishing these units. The programme is being planned with specific targets for each of the districts. Accordingly, Ernakulam has a target of establishing 1,500 units, Kollam 1,300, Alappuzha 1,000, Thrissur 1,400, Malappuram 1,000, Kannur 1,000, Wayanad 500, Idukki 500 and Kottayam 800.

According to Industries Department figures, there are around 50 industrial clusters in the State.

These clusters have successfully established themselves in various sectors, setting up common facility centres, raw material banks and, in some cases, even training centres.

The sectors in which clusters have been successful include general engineering, textiles, bamboo, food processing, plastic, construction materials, books, paper and stationery articles, medicinal plantations and the like.

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