West Bengal seeks Japanese help in setting up hub for MSMEs in Howrah

Kolkata, Feb 22 (KNN) West Bengal Government has sought Japanese help in developing industrial infrastructure by setting up a hub for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)  in at least one of idle plots of Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) at Liluah and Belur.

After the recently held Bengal Global Business Summit, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is likely to fund a Rs 2,000-crore industrial hub project either in Howrah where Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) has plots ready for handover, according to the website of All India Trinamool Congress.

The hub is expected to generate 15,000-20,000 direct jobs.

Howrah Mayor Rathin Chakraborty has said during the recent Bengal Global Business Summit, a meeting was held between the Mayor and the Japanese consul general in which Chief Minister Mamara Banerjee was also present.

During the meeting, WB Mayor told the Japanese consul general that HMC had two idle plots, one each in Liluah and Belur, and sought Japanese help in developing industrial infrastructure by setting up a hub for micro, small and medium industries in at least one of these locations.

The Japanese diplomat requested a detailed written proposal.

“As an important offshoot of the recent Bengal Global Business Summit, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will fund a Rs 2,000-crore industrial hub project either in Howrah where Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) has plots ready for handover. The hub is expected to generate 15,000-20,000 direct jobs,” AITC website added.

According to AITC website quoting HMC sources, JICA will fund the hub with modern infrastructure. It will have its own underground water reservoir, booster pumping station, power stations, two effluent treatment plants along with sewage facilities, a large number of industrial sheds for MSME units and roads. It will also have its own fire safety system.

MSME units that will shift from elsewhere in Howrah to the hub or new industries that take sheds there will be assisted in marketing their produce.