The Hindu Business Line : Jebel Ali to help Vizag SEZ

JEBEL Ali Free Zone Area (JAFZA) in Dubai, built around the 11th largest port in the world, will assist the Andhra Pradesh Government in expanding the special economic zone (SEZ) in Visakhapatnam.

Jebel Ali is already involved in developing the Gangavaram Port being taken up near the city.

Announcing this here on Tuesday, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, said JAFZA had witnessed great success with a total area of 50,000 acres where some 5,000 global companies set up their operations.

Dr Reddy, who led a delegation to Israel, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates for a week, returned to Hyderabad on Tuesday.

"We feel the SEZ in Visakhapatnam, spanning about 7,000 acres, will not be sufficient for future needs," he said.

In the last leg of the tour in Dubai, the delegation visited the free zone and port and held discussions with officials. "They agreed to assist us in the SEZ expansion," he said.

The Chief Minister said RAK Ceramics in Ras al Khaimah, one of the emirates, agreed to expand the scope of their plant at Peddapuram. The company, which had originally committed to invest Rs 200 crore, will add Rs 60 crore to produce sanitary ware and other ceramic related products.

The Dubai Government assured the delegation that it would help the State in developing a concept for the proposed Knowledge Corridor. Besides participating in the implementation of the project, it will also take part in the outer ring road project around the State capital.

Earlier, the delegation had visited Israel. "They have made strides in effective utilisation of water," said Dr Reddy.

Impressed by their achievements in this segment, the Chief Minister said the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad would be asked to use treated water through sprinklers to preserve the greenery in the city.

Stating that Israel taps 60 per cent of recycled water for its agricultural and afforestation needs, he said all municipalities in the State would be made to tap wastewater.

Referring to the success of the food-processing sector in Israel, Dr Reddy said the State processed just 5 per cent of its fruits and vegetables.

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