The Hindu Business Line : CII Coimbatore keen on engineering SEZ

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CII'stheme, set against the backdrop `Destination Coimbatore - harness the potential', includes enticing investors through facilitations by showcasing sectoral strengths of Coimbatore industry
It will popularise the in-house panel services and hosting events focusing on sectors such as textiles, engineering, IT, foundry, auto components.

Coimbatore , March 15

The Confederation of Indian Industry, Coimbatore, set on marketing the city as an investment destination, is exploring the possibility of setting up an engineering industry-specific special economic zone (SEZ).

CII sees engineering units in the region, involved in exports, to be potential investors in such SEZs, and is in talks with them to assess their requirement.

At present, many Coimbatore-based engineering firms, for want of infrastructure, have located their EOUs either in Chennai or Kochi.

Unlike developing special export processing zones which will have stiff prerequisites such as vast land availability, promoting industry-specific SEZs, like the one for engineering, can be feasible on a plot of 250 acres.

Feasibility study

"We'll be able to prepare a roadmap for the engineering SEZ once we could crystallise the needs of the local engineering exporting units. We will be engaging outside agency to do a feasibility study," said Mr Jayakumar Ramdass, the newly-elected Chairman of CII, Coimbatore.

Showcasing Coimbatore

CII's theme for 2006-07, set against the backdrop `Destination Coimbatore - harness the potential', includes enticing investors through facilitations by showcasing sectoral strengths of Coimbatore industry, popularising its in-house panel services and hosting events focusing on crucial sectors of textiles, engineering, IT, foundry, auto components and education/healthcare.

"As part of investor facilitation programme, CII has plans to come out with CDs and brochures giving relevant details on the local industry that will enable the investors make their investment decisions," Mr Ramdass added.

On the infrastructure front, CII feels that international air connectivity from Coimbatore to link three business hubs of Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai could be a priority and is working on it.

"We will approach three airlines to convince them on the potential to create air connectivity to these countries," said Mr Ramdass.

Membership drive

Being the largest zone with 285 members, CII Coimbatore has also chalked up plans to enlarge its membership as also its geographical spread across nearby industrial towns of Erode, Tirupur, Pollachi, Namakkal and Salem, said Mr K. Thangaraj, Vice-Chairman. To enlarge its membership coverage, the CII is targeting upcoming sectors such as infrastructure, retailing and jewellery.

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