India's first snacks food manufacturing cluster may start in Indore by 2014

INDORE: The country's first snacks food manufacturing cluster, that aims to generate 2,300 jobs and attract investment of Rs 150 crore, is likely to become operational in next two years, says a state-run MSME body.

"If everything goes as per the plan, this cluster will become operational in the next two years," the city-based Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (MSME-DI) Director D S Mandloi told PTI.

MSME-DI has drafted a blueprint of this cluster, which will be set up in 13 acres at Sanwer road industrial area here, he said, adding that the responsibility of implementing this cluster lies with the state government.

According to state officials, the new cluster is expected to attract investment of Rs 150 crore and provide job opportunities to 2,300 people.

At present, Indore's snack industry is to the tune of Rs 500 crore and of which only Rs 30 crore business is generated from exports. The proposed cluster is expected to boost exports, according to industry data.

Noting that there is a scope for increasing export of city's traditional snacks to the US, the UK, Africa and Gulf countries, Mandloi said the new cluster will help improve the quality and shelf-life of snacks.

Snacks makers will be trained how to maintain quality and conserve the product by better packaging. Besides, the institute's technology will be used in snack units at cluster to reduce power consumption by 40 per cent, he said.

Water treatment plant and laboratories will also be set up here, he added.