The Hindu Business Line : CII to hold Linkage '06 in Vizag tomorrow

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is holding a one-day buyer-seller meet (Linkage - 2006) here on September 1 for small and medium enterprises in the Vizag zone.

Mr H.S Chhatwal, Chairman of Vizag CII and Director, Commercial, in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant said at a press meet here on Wednesday that the meet would facilitate partnerships between the big units and the SMEs and to promote Vizag as an industrial hub.

`Huge investments

in near future'

He said there would be huge investments in the near future in Vizag, with the steel plant taking up its expansion project at a cost of Rs 8,600 crore and several other units coming up in the region. "The SMEs have a bright future and they can generate a lot of employment, if they can be competitive," he said.

Questioned about the role of the steel plant in helping the SMEs in the region, as it was the biggest industrial unit, he said at present 200 units were attached to the Visakhapatnam steel plant and the VSP was doing its best to help them.

"However, I admit more number of units could have come up here, especially auto component units. We are planning a special economic zone (SEZ) in the steel plant to encourage the SMEs," he said.

`Demand for slag up'

Referring to the disposal of slag generated in the plant and possibility of setting up cement plants, Mr Chhatwal said the demand for slag had gone up and it was presently being sold by the plant at Rs 200 per tonne.

He said 10-15 units had shown interest in setting up grinding units and eight had been shortlisted. Tenders would be called shortly and four or so would be chosen, he explained.

However, he said, almost the entire slag produced by the plant (14 lakh tonnes) was being sold to a private party. "After the expansion, the slag will be doubled and cement units can be set up. VSP itself is planning to set up one for a long time," he said.

Mr Varma Vegesna, Vice-Chairman of the Vizag zonal council of the CII and the Managing Director of the Lazarus Hospital, also spoke.

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