Infrastructure to be improved in Mangalore

Mangalore: A panel discussion on ‘Mangalore: The next investment destination of Karnataka’ emphasised on the need to improve infrastructure facilities in the area, as the region is all set to witness huge growth in the years to come.

Initiating the discussion, Mr A.G. Pai, Chief Operating Officer of Mangalore SEZ Ltd, said that investments to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore are expected in the SEZ project. In such a situation, there is a need to invest in areas such as housing and medical facilities.

Representing the small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in the region, Mr G. Giridhar Prabhu, Proprietor of Achal Industries, said that the SME units and agriculture sector in the region are facing shortage of labour. There is a need to provide adequate infrastructure to accommodate labourers coming to the region, he said.

Terming Mangalore as the ‘Just Destination’ for investments, Mr Walter D’Souza, Convenor of Committee on Agro Exports and AEZs, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said serenity of the region, security to life and property, and quality education and health systems are the highlights of the region.

However, there is a need to give importance for improving the condition of roads. As the region has good potential for agro processing industries, the potential for agriculture exports through value addition should be explored, he said. Efforts on the establishment of air cargo complex at Mangalore need to expedited, he added. Mr K. Narasimha Prabhu, President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), moderated the discussion. The panel discussion was jointly organised by KCCI and ICICI Bank Ltd here on Saturday.