Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

Ahmedabad, November 21, 2007: The Ahmedabad-based Chiripal Group, with interests in textiles and petrochemicals, is exploring business opportunities in information technology.

The group has recently approached the state government for setting up an IT special economic zone (SEZ) near state capital Gandhinagar.

With this, Gujarat will have over a dozen IT SEZs. The group proposes to set up the SEZ over 10 acres near Koba in Gandhinagar, said a state government official. Government sources say the company may invest Rs 50 crore to Rs 70 crore in the project. The company officials could not be contacted.

Gujarat is catching up on the IT front as companies such as Satyam and TCS are lining up investments in the state. Both Satyam and TCS are likely to invest over Rs 400 crore each over the next few years in their SEZ projects, say the sources.

Earlier this year, realty major DLF Ltd launched its IT park in the state capital. The Rs 850-crore project, which is likely to come up over 25 acres has also been given the SEZ status.

The company is looking at an investment of around Rs 3,000 crore in different IT projects in Gujarat, according to industry sources.

A senior government official told BS that the IT department was actively pursuing the 19 MoUs, which were signed during the IT summit held last year.

During this summit, a total investment of Rs 11,000 crore was pledged. Officials say more companies are planning to make investments in Gujarat.

Source: Business Standard