Dubai Group to set up base at Mumbai special economic zone

Mumbai – In a boost to India’s port-led industrialisation policy, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port TrustSpecial Economic Zone (JNPTSEZ) in Mumbai has leased a 44-acre plot to Hindustan Infralog Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of Dubai-based DP World, for R5.66bn, an official said on Saturday.

Besides, another 31 acres have been leased to 15 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) investors on the JNPT-SEZ multi- product zone coming up on 684-acres of freehold land of the JNPT.

With the prime objective of generating jobs, investments and captive cargo for the JNPT, so far the JNPTSEZ has leased out 75 acres of land for 60 years at a total premium of R6.3bn, said JNPT chairman Neeraj Bansal.

He said the JNPT-SEZ has received extremely positive response from the investors who include manufacturers, industrial park developers, logistics companies and private equity players, for land in the SEZ.

This is because of the geocentric advantages and its connectivity to the domestic and international markets being close to Mumbai, its proximity to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and JNPT Port giving it direct access to global markets through the port’s container terminals, said Bansal.

“The JNPT is providing stateof-the-art plug and play facilities at the SEZ by investing R5bn and the key facilities include continuous water-power supply, telecom networks, a customs office, administration and training centre, parking, abundant green zones with a sewage treatment plant and solid waster management facility,” Bansal added.

The JNPT-SEZ enjoys a ‘ Special Planning Authority’ status which enables investors to secure speedy approvals for building designs and expedite construction at the site.

A dedicated team, comprising infrastructure experts and consultants, is deployed at the site where work is progressing at face pace with 35 per cent financial progress notched so far in the mega-project, due to be completed by July 2019.

JNPT-SEZ has leased a 44 acre plot to Hindustan Infralog Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of Dubai-based DP World, for