Kolkata, March 9:

A group of leading Italian companies engaged in food processing is exploring the potential of the growing industry in West Bengal.

The team is being led by Italy’s Forli-Cesena Chamber of Commerce. The twin towns of Forli-Cesena in Italy’s Bologna province form the food processing hub with equipment manufacturing units located in clusters.

The team members are attracted by the increasing importance being given by the state government to the food processing industry and the newly set up Sudha Ras, a food park, on the outskirts of Kolkata. The 42-acre park, built at a cost of Rs 186 million, houses 20-odd food processing units, including Frito-Lay India, a snack foods subsidiary of Pepsico. The state government’s endeavour in setting up another food park, adjacent to Sudha Ras has further fuelled their interest.

Flooded by requests from willing entrepreneurs, the state government has entrusted the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) to promote the second park. The new park will be built on 44 acres of land at a project cost of Rs 181.2 million.