Assocham moots 16 clusters in state

BHUBANESWAR: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has proposed establishment of 16 new clusters in the State. The clusters, each accommodating about 1,000 small-scale units, will be in the areas of forestry, agriculture, food processing, HRD, herbal products, non-conventional energy, tourism and infrastructure. The Assocham, which carried out a study on cluster development in the State, is looking at an investment of ` 70,000 crore if the clusters become a reality. Assocham secretary-general DS Rawat said the chamber would hold a conclave in the State on June 24 to showcase the prospects of MSMEs. Over 400 potential investors will attend the conclave. The Assocham had already hosted similar conclaves in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh where the State governments entered into agreements with investors for MSMEs. The total funds required for providing the basic and essential infrastructure for the clusters will be in the range of ` 450 to  500 crore. Once the clusters come up, they will contribute an additional 10 per cent revenue per annum to the State exchequer besides helping inclusive growth, Rawat said. The apex body of industries has suggested that there is a need for setting up a statutory body - Cluster Development Authority - to ensure proper utilisation of funds and assist them grow. In India, there are about 6,500 clusters of which just 450 are in the conforming sector (recognised by the Centre and extended assistance). Orissa has just 26 clusters. What the Assocham has planned is establishment of e-cluster model in the State so that it facilitates easy and speedy coordination among stakeholders, members, entrepreneurs as well as buyers-sellers. “Existing clusters are not able to sustain growth and development process due to use of obsolete technology, plant and machinery which necessitate the need for inter-connectivity through e-cluster model. This will give the units a level playing field in terms of access to information, marketing and price structure among other things. The Assocham has identified the 16 clusters at Palasa (cashew), Buditi (brass and bell metal), Baripada (‘sabai grass’), Dhenkanal (power loom), Puri (rice mills), Bhadrak (rice mill cluster), Dhamra (ice plant), Basudevpur (ice plant and ‘chuda’),  Chandbali (‘chuda’), Tihidi (‘chuda’), Bhandaripokhari (honey), Dhamra (honey), Betaligaon (wood carving), Olaga (wood carving) and Dhusuri (wood carving). About industrialisation in Orissa, Rawat said most of the live projects are in the sectors where land is to be acquired with permission from the Centre and other agencies. Joint director, Assocham, UK Joshi was present.