Gujarat government will create industrial sheds for apparel industry at 12 locations, said a top government official on Thursday. The government estimated a need for 6.5 million square feet to develop the apparel sector.
These will be multi-storey sheds on plug and use model. The government is eyeing this sector has it has potential to generate jobs, especially in smaller cities and towns as well as for women.
Gujarat government, alo-ng with Garment Manufacturers Association of India, recently sought Expression of Interest from industry players, willing to set up units to manufacture apparels. People from across the state and even from outside responded, on the basis of which it was estimated that the total space required is about 6.5 million square feet.
"Sheds will come up at 12 locations. But most of the demand is from places such as Ankleshwar, Surat, Bhavnagar, Bardoli and Kathwada," said D Thara, vice-chairman and managing director of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). These sheds will be multi-storey and on plug and use mode so that units have to just bring in their machines and start operations. These will be open for micro, small, medium and even large enterprises. Other places where the sector might grow are Vapi, Naroda, Han-salpur and Surendranagar.
"Till now, we had sought the only Expression of Interests. Now we will seek real applications, that will give an idea of actual space need. Once this is done, the actual allotment will start," said Thara. "Apparel sector is non-hazardous. It is very conducive for women entrepreneurs and workforce. Setting up units on the outskirts of cities will be great for women," said Shailesh Patwari, president of GCCI.
EXPERT SPEAK
The apparel sector is non-polluting and needs relatively lower investment. It is conducive for women entrepreneurs, said GCCI president Shailesh Patwari.
