India Will Set Up Five Manufacturing Investment Regions

July 11, 2006

Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said that the idea behind the creation of five manufacturing investment regions is to see how foreign direct investment can be further liberalized. He made this statement at a press conference in New Delhi on ...

Adrienne Selko

The regions would provide infrastructure and single window clearance, according to zeenews but no fiscal incentives.

FDI in manufacturing grew 75% to $2 billion last fiscal year and the government is looking at doubling it in the next two years, said Nath. "In April manufacturing grew 10.4%," Nath said, adding that in May growth in manufacturing was 12.2 %.

Five coastal states, Orissa, West Bengal, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, are already in the process of establishing these regions which would not be given new fiscal concessions. Ajay Dua, Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy, said that some regions might quality for infrastructure funding. These regions may include special economic zones, industrial parks, IT parks and export oriented units.

Engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and leather were three industries under consideration where changes would be made to remove procedural bottlenecks, according to the article.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.