Foreign timber processing zone in Paradip soon

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has initiated measures for establishment of foreign timber processing zone near Paradip port for wood-based industries.With foreign timber flooding the markets in the State, such a processing zone will help the small and medium scale entrepreneurs in wood-based industries to set up their units which will cater to the needs of the local markets.A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary BK Patnaik here on Wednesday discussed the employment potential of the wood-based industries and the employment opportunities the proposed foreign timber processing unit will open up.The meeting revealed that imported timber-based industries at Kandla Port in Gujarat is running successfully providing avenues to a large number of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in that state.Such an industrial cluster will be helpful for growth of MSME in wood-based sector and  also cater to the wood-based needs of the people without disturbing the indigenous forest resources.The meeting was told that a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed timber processing zone will be prepared in two months. Land requirement for the proposed zone is around 500 acres. The schedule map of the industrial zone has been prepared.Meanwhile, land for the project has been identified. The Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (IDCO) has earmarked 125 acres of land for the purpose and the balance land has also been identified by the Jagatsingpur district collector.The district collector has been asked to expedite the process of land alienation for establishment of the industrial zone. A  special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be set up for this zone, the meeting was informed.The Chief Secretary directed the Industries Department to identify a competent officer and put him in exclusive charge of this project as nodal officer.It was also been decided that 25 acres of land will be earmarked for the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) within this industrial zone.Principal Secretary, MS&ME, NK Sundaray, Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment, RK Sharma, Industries Secretary Parag Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest PN Padhi and other senior officers participated in discussions.