Vision Group proposes to set up FMCG cluster to transform Hubli-Dharwad into hub

BENGALURU: FMCG Vision Group for Karnataka in its vision document has pitched in favour of developing a FMCG cluster in Dharwad.

Vision Group Chairman Ullas Kamath submitted the report to Large and Small Scale Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar on Friday. The document emphasises on the need to transform Hubli-Dharwad into a FMCG cluster to give a fillip to the development of North Karnataka. It targets to create five lakh job opportunities through allied industries with 35% economic growth of the region by 2025.

“We had announced setting up of FMCG cluster in Dharwad during the last budget. To fulfil the promises made, we set up an FMCG Vision Group to explore the opportunities and come out with a vision document Transform Hubli-Dharwad: Vision 2020-2025,” Jagadish Shettar said.

He said the government shall study the vision report and hold discussion with various stakeholders to set up the cluster.

The government, he said, is actively pursuing the cluster proposal to attract investments and generate large scale employment in the North Karnataka region. “Hubli-Dharwad will be the FMCG hub of South India, with a capacity to generate turnover of Rs 25,000 crore,” he said.

Vision Group Chairman said the FMCG Cluster development will happen in three phases, with each phase attracting Rs 2,500 crore worth investment. “Each phase will generate 50,000 jobs, with 80% of jobs reserved for the domiciles, and 50% for women. Each phase is expected to occupy an area of around 500 acres,” Ullas Kamath said.