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Maharashtra woos NRIs to come invest in agro industry

"We invite all those who are associated with agriculture, agro- industries, food processing, dairy, poultry and allied sectors to participate in this global event," state Agriculture minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil told the gathering.

The event would include a global investors' convention and an exhibition, "Agro Food Tech 98", he said.

Vikhe-Patil said the state government would present more than 50 projects for investment at the convention. These projects would require investments of between $ 75 million and $ 1 billion, he said.

About 130 other projects, drawn up by entrepreneurs looking for joint venture partners, would also be presented at the event, he said.

Vikhe-Patil said the state government would make every effort to ensure that the projects could be set up without any difficulties.

He said the exhibition, which will showcase new technologies in the agricultural sector, would be attended by about a million progressive farmers from all over India.

The minister said the event was aimed at building on the success of the "advantage Maharashtra" meeting held last year to attract investments in the infrastructure sector.

He listed the achievements made by Maharashtra in agriculture and related areas and spoke at length about the advantages and incentives it offered to investors.

Vikhe-Patil said the state government was planning to set up agro-industrial estates in different parts of Maharashtra with special incentives, including tax holidays.

UNI