According to Gehlot, many print service providers have set up their units at their premises, and so far the response has been highly encouraging. He feels that this space has the capacity to turn into a major print hub where one job can be circulated among the other convertors at the industrial park. Secondly, Bhiwandi being the largest center of warehouses has a strong distribution network to cater to logistics services across pan India. It also has a geographical advantage as it is close to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), the largest port in India.
With the focus on the B2B segment and being a member of AIPMA, Bhumi World explores all possible ways to expand the customer base through participation in various exhibitions. So far, Bhumi World has been able to generate a good number of inquiries through five days of the Plastivision trade show. The company offers a freehold land that is approved by many banks. The Government of Maharashtra offers a 40% subsidy for the gala owners.
“We have developed the infrastructure where a young startup can expand its plant at an economical cost and can serve clients at three-star hotels and residential apartments located nearby. We have even witnessed a shift of convertors from Vasai to Bhiwandi. Our success comes from the various amenities we provide like affordable price, 24 hours of power supply, excellent connectivity via road and railway, and subsidized industrial zones to suit the manufacturing units. Bhiwandi is an integrated mix of industrial units, office spaces and industrial sheds. It is a perfect place to accommodate a large number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within its well-planned realm. Post demonetization, we have recorded a hike in sales growth to around 25% in the last one-and-a-half months,” concludes Gehlot.
‘Make in India’ theme
The central theme of participation at Plastivision was also to promote ‘Make in India’ week and Maharashtra as an investment destination for investors. The statistics indicate that manufacturing plays a critical role in generating economic growth and development. Maharashtra continues to occupy a unique position in the country’s economy. With 9.3% of the total population and 9.4% of the country’s geographical area, Maharashtra contributes to about 15.3% of overall national employment. The state has been able to attract significantly high levels of investments. It not only has Mumbai, the economic capital of the country, but also emerging industrial spaces such as Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Aurangabad within its territory. Moreover, the diversity of various manufacturing sectors has given this industry a unique magnetism in the state’s economy and policy.
Over a period, Maharashtra has successfully diversified its industrial base. It has also become a leading automobile production hub and a major IT growth center. At present, Maharashtra’s industrial clusters, auto and auto components represent 38% of national output, apparel and textile 10.4%, and pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals 40%. Maharashtra also continues to attract international attention; for the very first time in 27 years, the World Economic Forum India Economic Summit moved out of the national capital—Delhi—and the obvious choice was the financial capital of the country. Maharashtra has attracted US$ 70.95 billion of FDI over 2000–2014, which is the highest among all states in India.
