Gujarat ceramic industry poised for growth

With the discovery of huge deposits of China clay in Kutch district, the state government is hoping to place the ceramic industry in the state on the world map. The government has set an ambitious target to over take Chinese exports by the end of 2005.

The government has identified four cluster Kutch, Rajkot, Morbi and Mehsana for the development of the ceramics industry in the state. The clusters are expected to be developed and be operational by the end of the current financial year.

"Ceramics industry is a power intensive industry and with the naptha based captive power plants, the cost of power is higher, which increases the cost of our products as compared to China. We are planning to introduce gas based power to the ceramics industry, which will reduce the cost of power and make us competitive in the international market," said Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarat, while dedicating to the nation, the newly discovered crude oil reserve at well number PK-2 in Ahmedabad on Monday.

According to preliminary indications, China clay deposits are estimated at over 200 million tonne. However, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) is conducting a survey in Kutch to estimate the amount of availability of the Miniral in the region.

The survey is estimated to be completed by March, next year.

At present, Gujarat accounts for over 70 per cent of the semi organised sector in the Indian ceramic industry. Companies in Gujarat mainly manufacture ceramic floor and wall tiles although some of them have diversified into manufacturing of vitrified products amongst others. Over one lakh people are directly or indirectly employed in the ceramics industry in Gujarat alone.

"We will utilise latest state-of-the-art technology to develop our ceramic industry and market it at the international level. We target to over take China by end of the financial year 2005," said Modi.