“India’s first Greenfield Smart Industrial City, AURIC (Aurangabad Industrial City), is spread over 10,000 Acres and is being developed by the special purpose vehicle, Aurangabad Industrial Township Limited (AITL). AITL has sold more than 50 plots in this industrial city and we expect more companies to invest in the months to come. AURIC is an ideal investment destination with pre-approved environment clearance. Companies investing in this city can enjoy sound road, rail and air connectivity, single window clearance system, online application, e-land management system, reliable 24 hour power supply and effluent treatment plants, among other services,” said Mr. Amgothu Sri Ranga Naik, IAS, Managing Director, Aurangabad Industrial Township Limited at the Virtual Trade Dialogue 'Leveraging Trade Infrastructure for International Market Access and Trade Opportunities', second in series, organized jointly by World Trade Center Mumbai - India, World Trade Center Winnipeg - Canada and World Trade Center Trieste - Italy.

Mr. Naik also highlighted the benefits of investing in Maharashtra, where the state government has made available 40,000 acre land for new industries. He said, Maharashtra is the only state in India to offer SGST rebate on gross basis and has disbursed more than USD 600 million in lieu of various incentives during the year 2018-19.

Speaking on this occasion, Ms. Diane Gray, President and CEO, CentrePort Canada, highlighted that CentrePort Canada is North America’s largest inland port spanning over 20,000 acres with on-site access to tri-modal transportation. It is served by three continental class I railways, has a major trucking centre with 1,000+ for-hire trucking companies, only one hour from the Canada-U.S. border, and has a 24/7 international airport for dedicated freighter aircraft movements.

Representing World Trade Center Trieste - Italy, Ms. Rita Gollino, Corporate Development Manager of Samer & Co. Shipping explained how the Port of Trieste in Italy can be a gateway for Indian companies to the European market. She pointed out that the Port of Trieste can be a strategic geographical location with intermodal connectivity, 18-meter draft and a customs free port. She suggested that by taking the Suez-Trieste route, one can save four days of navigation time, travelling at an average speed of 20 knots.

In his Welcome Address, Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai said that opportunities arising out of the global realignment post COVID-19 can be explored by engaging with trade and investment hubs such as CentrePort Canada, the Port of Trieste and AURIC in India. AURIC can play a vital role in promoting industries in the agro, engineering, auto and textile sectors, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Derek Earl, Vice President, World Trade Center Winnipeg – Canada, said that we are navigating through unprecedented times, and we need a network of trusted partners to address this crisis.

The programme was attended by MSMEs, industry representatives, consular corps and members of the academia from the participating countries.