Financial Express – Dec 7, 2012

Rajasthan likely to get 2 new airports at Neemrana & Jodhpur

Jaipur: With a push from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Rajasthan may soon see two new airports — in Neemrana and Jodhpur — while the international airport in Jaipur may be upgraded.

Saying that Union Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma had pledged his full support, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the airports would help boost exports from Rajasthan.

According to the state bureau for investment promotion, the Neemrana and Jodhpur airports would serve two national investment and manufacturing zone (NIMZ) projects already notified by the union cabinet. “The approval for the Neemrana airport has been given, but Anand Sharma has promised to expedite its realisation,” Gehlot said.

The two NIMZ projects include the Khushkhera-Bhiwadi zone and the Jodhpur-Pali zone. While the former has already been approved, the latter is to be developed in the near future.

“The Government of India will fund the cost of infrastructure of Rs 2,500 crore for five years for the Khuskhera-Bhiwadi Zone,” said Sharma, a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan.

Sharma and Gehlot held several meetings on Friday and Saturday to discuss among other industrial projects, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). The union minister also inaugurated the country’s second spice park in Jodhpur on Saturday.

Exclusive industrial zone for South Korean Industry to be set up in Rajasthan

Jaipur, 9 March, 2013 Rajasthan is all set to host an exclusive industrial zone for South Korean Companies in Ghilot, Near Neemrana.

An MOU to formalize an agreement to set up the zone will be signed between The Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) and South Korean Trade Promotion Agency (Kotra) here on Monday, March 11. The event will be witnessed by South Korea’s Ambassador to India, Top officials from Rajasthan besides representatives of over a 100 companies from South Korea.

With this Rajasthan will become the first and the only state to host two country specific exclusive manufacturing zones. The state already hosts a Japanese Manufacturing Zone at Neemrana in the NCR region, which was established in 2008.
This is a very significant event, symbolizing the efforts being made by Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot to make Rajasthan a preferred destination for industrial investment.
In the recent past United States based companies have also showed interest to invest in the state.

New Delhi based Officer on Special duty for RIICO Mrs Shelly Kishnani said that KOTRA had shown a keen interest in setting up an exclusive manufacturing zone in the state. Kotra is the umbrella agency of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy- of South Korean government and is mandated to promote the interests of industry.

Mr. Kyung Yool Kim, Director General, Kotra had recently called on Additional Chief Secretary, Industries and Chairman RIICO, Mr. Sunil Arora. Mr. Kim complemented Mr. Arora on the success of the Japanese Zone at Neemrana and sought a similar zone for South Korean Industries.
The meeting with Mr. Arora was also attended by Managing Director, RIICO Mr. Naveen Mahajan and Commissioner, Bureau of Investment Promotion Mr. Siddhartha Mahajan. The South Korean delegation was also represented by Mr. Joon Hwa Bin, Director, Kotra. The Representatives of International Finance Corporation, the knowledge partner of the state of Rajasthan were also present during the meeting.

The South Korean delegation said that he was amazed at the growth of the Japanese Zone in Neemrana.
Mr. Arora said that South Korea is already a major trading partner of India and Rajasthan will welcome any initiative from South Korean companies for setting up a manufacturing zone in Rajasthan.

Mr. Arora explained in detail the journey of the setting up of the Japanese zone from inception upto its present shape where over 20 major Japanese companies have commenced their production activity in Neemrana. He explained the benefits which were available to investors as per the Industrial Policy of the state. He said that the power situation in the State was comfortable and the State was increasingly being looked upon by large as well as multinational companies as a favored destination for their north India outreach.

Mr. Naveen Mahajan explained to the delegation the advantages that Rajasthan holds as an investment destination. He said that RIICO can offer land and requisite infrastructure to Kotra in the NCR Region at highly competitive terms.

Neemrana is situated midway between Delhi and Jaipur on National Highway Eight. It is 122 km from Delhi and about a 100 km from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Neemrana is a fast emerging industrial centre whose importance is slated to increase in the years to come because of it is located on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial corridor along the Dedicated Freight Corridor. This area also hosts one of the biggest upcoming auto hubs.