State food processing sector attracts investors

West Bengal has attracted 155 investment proposals worth Rs 327 crore in the food processing sector during the financial year 2003-04.

Informing this Sailen Sarkar, state food processing minister , said investment in food processing industries was rising steadily every year in West Bengal.

In 2001-02, the government approved 61 proposals with proposed investment of Rs 154.55 crore, while in 2002-3, it allowed 118 proposals worth Rs 212.22 crore.

"As per the study conducted by the government of India, it has been estimated that investment potential for food processing industry in West Bengal is Rs 15,451.80 crore in the next 10 years if the processing level rises from the existing two per cent to 10 per cent in the next 10 years. West Bengal has been ranked third after Maharastra and Tamil Nadu in this regard," Sarkar said while participating at an interactive session organised by Merchants' Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata on Friday.

He mentioned that investors in food processing projects could avail financial assistance from the government of West Bengal under West Bengal Incentive Scheme 2000, ministry of food processing industries, National Horticulture Board and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority of the Centre.

The government was trying to create suitable infrastructure for the industry by setting up dedicated food parks.