Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday invited industry leaders from northwest Tamil Nadu to invest in his state's border district Chamarajanagar, which is being developed as a greenfield industrial hub.
"I invite you all to explore the diverse opportunities Chamarajanagar offers and benefit from incentives being provided to invest in the border district," Siddaramaiah told about 500 industry leaders and entrepreneurs here, about 360 km from Bangalore.
Inaugurating a day-long Chamarajanagar Investors' Meet-2014 as part of the state's 'Coimbatore Road Show', the chief minister said the district had vast potential to industrialise as it was home to diverse enterprises and production units in food processing, mining and sericulture.
"With vast reserves of black granite, the district has immense scope to develop into granite cutting and polishing clusters. We have identified key sectors like agriculture, cold chains, textiles, automobile components and body building, engineering, energy and solar equipment for investments," Siddaramaiah said.
The Karnataka government also plans to invite investment in electrical and electrical motors, foundry, pharmaceutical, glass and ceramics and hospitality projects to tap the tourist potential in the region.
"Chamrajanagar also has a rich cultural heritage, art and natural beauty. As a district of breathtaking scenic beauty and home to Survarnavathi reservoir, the B.R Hills wildlife sanctuary (Yelandur taluk) and Bandipura National Park (Gundlupet taluk), it has the potential to become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in our state," Siddaramaiah said.
Located in the southern foothills of the rich bio-diverse Western Ghats region, Chamarajanagar will be on the forefront for tourism marketing initiatives under the 'Brand Karnataka' campaign.
"We are soon coming out with a new industrial policy for 2014-19 to ensure districts like Chamarajanagar get special attention and benefits to attract industries across sectors and create an enabling environment to develop the food processing sector in the region," Siddaramaiah said.
Karnataka plans to set up a food park in the backward district.
The day-long meet saw interactive sessions between Karnataka officials and members of the Coimbatore District Small Scale Industries Association, the Southern Indian Engineering Manufacturers' Association and the Thirupur Textile Association.
Noting that Karnataka's economic growth across sectors, including IT, biotech, aerospace, machine tools, sericulture, floriculture and coffee had been rapid and steady, the chief minister said his government was committed to promoting equitable development of all districts.
