Gujarat may have missed the information technology bus but, the state is set to make a mark with a number of upcoming IT special economic zones (SEZs). There are about five proposed IT SEZ projects in the state approved by the Centre.
While some of them may take time to come up, Calica Construction and Impex Pvt Ltd, an Ahmedabad-based company promoted by structural engineers Bipin Shah and Amrish Patel, has started work on its Rs 650 crore SEZ, which is coming up near Science City in Ahmedabad. The project has got a final nod from Union ministry of commerce and industry. The SEZ, coming up on over 26 acres land, will also house a 50-storeyed building.
“Construction will start this month. We plan to create infrastructure and 35 lakh sq feet space in the complex,” said Shah, a promoter of Calica group, which is executing the project through its subsidiary, 3rd Eye.
With Software Technology Parks in India (STPI) scheme coming to an end in March 2010, a lot of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will start looking for options.
“That is where we will gain. Unlike some SEZs, which woo IT biggies, our strategy is to get small and medium units in our zone. Our complex will be ready by March 2011. We will have a first-mover’s advantage,” said Shah. Estimates suggest several small companies operate in about 22 lakh sq feet area in Ahmedabad. “A number of local IT companies and BPO companies have approached us,” said Shah.
The company plans to invest Rs 300 crore in the first phase. “The investment will double by the time we complete our second phase,” he said.

Source : TIMES NEWS NETWORK

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