Dubai World to invest Rs 2,600 cr in Bengal

The company plans to develop Kulpi port and build an SEZ.

Amid the furore over Nandigram in West Bengal, Dubai World today announced a Rs 2,600 crore investment for developing Kulpi port and for building a special economic zone (SEZ).

The SEZ would be spread over 2,500 acres while the port would require 700 acres.

At a media briefing where both Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman, Dubai World, and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee were present, the chief minister said the main task would be identifying the land.

The Centre had cleared the SEZ in 2003. "Every body is ready to start work," Sulayem said.

It would take 2-3 years for the project to be completed. The multi-product SEZ would host automobile, electronics, textiles, logistics and agro industries.

Keventer and West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) would have minority stakes in the project.

On land acquisition for the SEZ, the chief minister said the benefits of the project would have to be conveyed to people.

Sulayem said the port and the SEZ would provide the much-needed infrastructure to local producers and traders and create 45,000 jobs.

"Kulpi port will prove to be a gateway for eastern India and will enable Dubai World's strategic vision of servicing its customers through new and innovative trade routes to be met efficiently," he said.

Bin Sulayem and his team toured the port site and visited the neighbouring hill station of Darjeeling to identify potential growth areas.