The Hindu Business Line : AP Govt earmarks land for allotment to hardware firms

ABOUT 119 acres of land have been earmarked for hardware sector firms at Poppalaguda near Hyderabad and 20 acres at Madhurawada in Visakhapatnam to woo firms in this growing area.

The State Government is in the process of identifying land for allotment near Vijayawada as well for allotment to hardware firms.

The State is in the process of establishing a special economic zone (SEZ), exclusively for hardware firms, spread over a 1,000-acre site near Shamshabad, where the greenfield international airport is set to come up by early 2008.

Addressing a press conference here, the State Minister for Information Technology and Communication (IT&C), Ms Sabitha Indra Reddy, said that memoranda of understanding would be signed at Gitex India 2006, to be organised at the Hitex centre here, by the Dubai World Trade Centre and the State IT&C Department, from January 11.

Ms Reddy and the Principal Secretary, IT&C, Ms Ratna Prabha, said land allotments and other incentives were subject to conditions laid down by the State IT policy, which is linked to job creation.

Referring to mega projects, they said that incentives for mega projects are negotiable and hoped that the fab facility would come up in the State. On the request made by women entrepreneurs for land allotment in Hyderabad, the Government would look into the matter, they said.

Giving details of the fifth edition of Gitex, they said about 90 firms have confirmed participation compared to 69 firms last time.

The Electronics Industries Association of Andhra Pradesh has taken 12 stalls this year. Alongside the main event, the Gitex would host a Computer Shopper wherein 41 firms have confirmed participation.

These include IBM, Intel, HP, Compaq, Samsung, Sony, TVS and HCL. The event features a four per cent VAT rebate.

About 5,000 candidates have registered for the job fair being organised by The Hindu and Eenadu and ETV.