The Centre has extended the capital investment subsidy for industries to Himachal Pradesh for four years and decided to continue the "freight subsidy", Union Minister for Commerce and Industries Anand Sharma said today.
Sharma who held a meeting with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, state industries minister Mukesh Agnihotri and senior officials said, while capital subsidy has been extended for four years from January 7, 2013 to March 31, 2017 and freight subsidy would continue, the Commerce ministry has strongly recommended the case of Himachal Pradesh for renewal of industrial package which was withdrawn in 2010.
The Union Minister also announced setting up of a Regional Centre of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) studies near Shimla at a cost of Rs 50 crore and said the Chief Minister has not only agreed to provide five acres of land, but also identified land for the institute.
The Union Commerce ministry would provide Rs 30 crore for infrastructural development and give Rs 10 crore annually on recurring basis to run the centre.
Sharma disclosed that a new apple juice concentrate project would be set up at a cost of Rs 15.30 crore at Gumma in Shimla district while the existing plant at Parwanoo would be upgraded and expanded at a cost of Rs 12.40 crore.
Funds for both plants would be provided by APEDA, he added.
Sharma also announced approval of six projects during his meeting with the Chief Minister here today under Assistance to State for Infrastructure Development for Export and Allied Services (ASIDE) of more than Rs 94 crore for upgradation of industrial infrastructure in the state.
