The Hindu Business Line : Kinfra plans food processing SEZ in Malappuram

Industry & Economy - Infrastructure
Agri-Biz & Commodities - Foods & Food Processing
States - Kerala
Kinfra plans food processing SEZ in Malappuram

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram , Nov. 17

The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) is planning to establish a product-specific special economic zone for food processing at Kakkancherry in Malappuram district.

The SEZ is to come up over 30 acres of land at the Food Processing Park there and will have world-class infrastructure. Kinfra has received `in-principle' approval from the Centre to set up the SEZ.

The facilities proposed include dedicated power supply, uninterrupted water supply, effluent treatment plants, cold storage and warehouses, apart from canteen, guesthouse, banks and post office, according to Kinfra officials.

INCUBATION CENTRE

Kinfra is in the process of developing an agro food business incubation centre at the park in collaboration with Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysore. A food technology centre and a food biotechnology centre will be set up as part of the business incubation centre.

The corporation has identified an independent agency for running and maintaining the business incubation centre, which will be equipped with pilot production facilities such as fermenters and canning and bottling lines.

Also on Kinfra's anvil is a special economic zone for animation and gaming industry at Kazhakkutam near Thiruvananthapuram, for which also the Centre has given `in-principle' clearance. The SEZ is proposed to be set up in 25 acres of land at the Film and Video Park at Kazhakootam.

`PRINT VILLAGE'

Another proposal by Kinfra is to develop a `print village' in 100 acres of land at the industrial development zone near Walayar in Palakkad district. The village will feature printing, advertisement and packaging divisions, research and development wing and training centre.

The village will also provide transport facilities, electricity, water and modern telecommunication system.