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Bengal makes space for electronics, software projects

This follows the recent spurt in corporate enquiries from the US and Europe for setting up mega software operations in the state. But space is at a premium at the 98-acre Salt Lake Electronics Complex.

T O D A Y

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The West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation, or Webel, which is propelling the state initiative, plans to develop multiple electronics complexes, software parks, printed-circuit board manufacturing units and EHTPs on the new land.

According to Webel Managing Director Nandan Bhattacharya "It has become imperative to acquire additional land soon to meet the basic infrastructure requirements of foreign corporations as Webel's electronic complex is bursting at the seams."

Although Bhattacharya declined to spell out the names of the global investors, who are keen to invest in West Bengal, he confirmed that the bulk of the enquiries have come from the US and Europe, primarily Germany and the Netherlands.

Webel will shortly submit its report on the proposed land utilisation plan to the State Commerce and Industry Minister Bidyut Ganguly. While it has been provisionally allotted 386 acres by the state government in the Salt Lake Extension Area, that land can be put to use only after Webel receives clearance from the Calcutta high court.

Such approval is expected once the high court is convinced that the water bodies in the Salt Lake extension area will not be affected.

Elaborating on the electronics drive, Bhattacharya said, "Plans to set up a state-of-the-art Communications and Information Technology University in Salt Lake are at an advanced stage."

The project, which is an Indo-French initiative, is awaiting the final nod from the European Commission, which is vetting the project report. A specific time-frame for the project will be decided after EC completes the appraisal in about two months.

- Compiled from the Indian media

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