Ap Govt Approves 100 Acres For Packaging Park In Visakha District

[phani41]

VISAKHAPATNAM: In a major boost to the packaging industry in Visakhapatnam, the AP government has accorded permission to the district collector to hand over advance possession of 100 acres in Anakapalli, Parawada and Mungapaka mandals to the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) for establishing a packaging park in the district.

Out of the 100 acres, 90 acres has been earmarked for the establishment of the packaging park, while 10 acres will be provided for setting up the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) in the district.

According to sources, the district administration had initially identified land near Gambheeram for the IIP, but as it was earmarked for IT companies, a decision was taken to allot land within the packaging park itself for the institute.

Speaking to TOI, Vizag MP K Hari Babu said, "The packaging park will benefit various sectors such as marine foods, pharmaceuticals, fruits and apparels among others. Export of marine products is now being undertaken in retail packaging formats so that it can directly be put at retail shops in USA and Europe. Similarly, pharma products from companies such as Hospira and Eisai will also need packaging material, specifically suited for medicines."

Citing the case of Brandix, he said, "They are importing packaging material from Sri Lanka for packing the apparels, so establishing an industrial packaging park will help in import substitution." Moreover, he said, apart from exports, even domestic movement of commodities like mango to north India will also benefit from this packaging park and industries associated with it.

Referring to investments, he said, "Even if around 10 industries come up in Vizag, we can expect around Rs 100-150 crore investment depending on the type of packaging material manufactured at the park."

Former chairman of CII Vizag zone G Sambasiva Rao said, "As Vizag is an industrial hub, whatever exports and imports happen, it needs packaging. Industries in this region and also in AP will benefit from the latest technology that is available in the packaging industry and it can help reduce the costs in terms of packaging. It will also provide a platform for research and development in the packaging industry."

Furthermore, he said, "Instead of going to places such as Mumbai or Delhi, industries from southern states can benefit from the packaging park and it will spur the economy of the region and provide employment opportunities too."