Nagaland govt to start joint venture with Korean firm
KOHIMA : The Nagaland Government is all set to enter into a joint venture with the Korea-based Cona International to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Ganesh Nagar in Dimapur.
Officials from Cona International disclosed that the joint venture is likely to start functioning with the construction of modern storage facilities to assist ginger farmers of Nagaland with scientific technology, low cost storage technology and contract strategies to procure the produce after harvest.
Addressing the Agricultural Products Marketing Committee members, farmers and officials from Agriculture and allied departments of Government of Nagaland at Ganesh Nagar Industrial Growth Centre in Dimapur yesterday, the Cona officials said the ginger cultivators were unable to earn benefits from the crop owing to the lack of technology and storage facilities and the SEZ would be working as providers for farmers in preserving, processing and marketing of the ginger assuring bigger returns.
Delivering the keynote address, Director of Industries of Government of Nagaland Cr G Keppen Rengma said the state has developed the Industrial Growth Centre at a cost of Rs 12.5 crore to boost trade and industries.
However, in absence of local entrepreneurs to look after the centre, the Industries Department has converted the centre into Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) covering an area of 935 acres and sought permission from the Union Government to declare the area as SEZ.
The centre has now been declared as the pilot SEZ in Northeast as well as the first food processing SEZ in the country, Er Rengma said.
Besides food processing, the state has appealed to the Centre for another multi-product SEZ under private sector.
”The project has been approved and the Department is awaiting notification. The project will be promoted by Naga Construction and would be coming up in an area measuring 1000 acres,” the Director informed.
Source: UNI