The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka to expand apparel park

BUOYED by the response to the first phase of the apparel park at Doddaballapur, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) plans to acquire additional 250 acres for the second phase expansion.

In the first phase, KIADB had allotted about 186 acres to 26 companies to set up their units, said the Chief Executive Officer, Mr B.A. Harish Gowda.

Development of infrastructure for the first phase of the park is in progress. Roads are being developed and the water supply scheme is being worked out.

"We expect the park to take off over the next few months, probably by June 2005," Mr Gowda told Business Line.

Apparel firms that have taken up land to set up units include Raymonds, Binny Ltd, Mudra, Gokuldas and Davangere Cotton Mills. Five more firms have lined up for the second phase, Mr Gowda said.

Work is also under progress for the apparel park in Bellary, Mr Gowda said. KIADB has acquired about 100 acres for the park at Bellary, which should be ready sometime next year, he said.

According to apparel industry sources, Bangalore has attracted an investment of about Rs 100 crore in the last one year with some 20-30 new units setting up operations in and around the city. Prominent ones include the facility set up by Raymonds, Gokuldas Exports and Texport. There are close to 600 apparel units in and around Bangalore, employing around three lakh people.

Garment exports from the State, which stood at around Rs 4,500 crore in the last financial year, are expected to cross Rs 5,000 crore in the current fiscal.

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