Special Investment Region: New avatar of SEZ on the anvil?

EXCLUSIVE: GOA’S DRAFT INVESTMENT POLICY February 26, 2013 Focus on world class infrastructure, PPP in airports, power, water, gas, logistic hubs, IT, education, transport & communications SHWETA KAMAT PANJIM: Recognising that absence of basic infrastructure has been a major impediment to industrial development in Goa, the State government has proposed a ‘Goa Investment Policy’ with major emphasis on upgradation and development of world class infrastructure through public private partnership. The government has also proposed an infrastructure act in the policy to ensure hassle free and quick development of infrastructure facilities in the state. Additionally, an infrastructure development board, for facilitating greater flow of funds into infrastructure sector, is also proposed among the proposals to boost infrastructure. ‘Goa Investment Policy’, a recast version of Goa Industrial Policy 2003, which aims at fostering significant industrial growth, especially in the field of information technology (IT) and tourism, by attracting global investors, is likely to be placed before the State Legislative Assembly at the forthcoming Budget session. According to the policy, which is in the final draft stages, the main projects where PPP may be contemplated would include airports, water supply treatment and distribution, power generation, roads, bridges, bypasses, flyover, inland container depots and logistic hubs, information technology, tourism, health care, education, trade fair ground, convention centres, urban transport system, industrial parks, etc. “The State envisions mega investments in the infrastructure sector for its economic growth. The Government shall make necessary budgetary provisions through its Departments and through private entrepreneurs under PPP frameworks especially in the areas such as power, water, gas, port connectivity, communication, quality human resources in ample numbers, etc,” the policy reads. “A sound infrastructure is the backbone of a healthy economy. Availability of quality infrastructure and land are key factors to attract high end investment. Quality infrastructure is essential as it compliments a good policy environment. Therefore, in order to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises, it is proposed to provide quality network of roads, uninterrupted power availability, water, high speed data transfer internet connectivity, efficient logistic facilities, etc,” the policy added. The government has said that it already possesses excellent infrastructure which include the high density network of roads, connectivity by rail to all parts of the country, an international airport (with another international airport in the pipeline) and a natural port. The State is also power surplus and has a strong transmission and distribution network which is being further modernized. There is ample supply of water. Efforts will be made to ensure timely and perennial distribution of water throughout the year. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Main%20Page%20News/EXCLUSIVE-GOA-rsquo-S-DRAFT-INVESTMENT-POLICY/71244.html Special Investment Region: New avatar of SEZ on the anvil? TNN | Feb 26, 2013, 03.27 AM IST PANAJI: The Goa government has proposed a new concept-Special Investment Region (SIR)-in its draft investment-cum-industrial policy that seeks to boost industrial growth in the state. Official sources said SIR is at the conceptual stage with its main objective to attract global and domestic players to set up industry of international standard and provide substantial employment to local, skilled manpower. Sources explained that special region would mean providing specially demarcated areas to the investor for setting up industrial units. There may be some incentives for such units too. The proposal has not been discussed yet in detail at the industries department level or the Goa industrial development corporation level. But the government will seek suggestions and objections from the public before taking any decision, sources said. It is not clear how different this concept would be from that of the special economic zone (SEZ). Around 15 SEZs were proposed by the Congress government in 2006 and the government of then chief minister Digambar Kamat had scrapped the SEZs in January 2008. The "land allotment scam involving SEZs" which was raised by present chief minister and then opposition leader Manohar Parrikar is yet to be taken to its logical conclusion. Sources said the new SIR concept is being mooted to build investor confidence and to attract new industry to Goa. They claimed this is because Goa's image as an investor-destination suffered after the then government abruptly cancelled the SEZ projects in Goa following the anti-SEZ agitation of which BJP was a part. Goa chamber of commerce and industry had also criticized the Goa government for abruptly scrapping SEZs then and had favoured at least two such SEZs for IT and pharma to provide employment to locals. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Special-Investment-Region-New-avatar-of-SEZ-on-the-anvil/articleshow/18684197.cms