New model of SEZ developed in Gujarat

PTI[ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2006 10:30:26 PM]

MUMBAI: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that
Gujarat has developed a new model for Special Economic Zones, which
would not harm agricultural land.
"When there is a nationwide debate going on SEZs, we in Gujarat have
developed a policy in such a way that farm land will not be harmed. We
are way ahead in the SEZ race as compared to other states," Modi said at
a FICCI meet.
"Of the 25 SEZs, work has already started on most of them. We have three
separate SEZs for IT. Given the interest in Gujarat shown by the
Japanese business community, I have even offered to set up a Japanese
SEZ," Modi said.
"The Vibrant Gujarat Investors Summit, which will be held on January 12
and 13 in 2007, will focus on SEZs. We want to market our SEZs and the
new culture of SEZs," he said.
Elaborating on his state's position as number one in terms of
investment, Modi said, "We have focussed on a proactive approach rather
than blindly offering incentives. We have created a investor-friendly
environment rather than giving incentives, because incentives will
always have a limit but our investor-friendly environment will always
remain."
Modi also welcomed investment in food processing sector as a value
addition to agriculture and said Gujarat would take "special care" of
those who came forward to invest in this sector.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/385662.cms