What is it?
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India has planned to build its first Eastern Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) from West Bengal to Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.
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The idea is to not just build new ports or upgrade old ones but raise entire industrial ecosystems that encompass several such ports.
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Project is partly financed by Asian Development Bank
Coastal Economic Zones
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Coastal location allows companies to operate in the world markets unhindered by the poor infrastructure in the hinterland. This was successfully done in China.
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The NITI Ayog, thus, suggests that India should also work on building a coastal economic zone. This becomes further attractive in the light of Sagarmala initiative
Maritime Clusters and CEZ
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Maritime clusters are to be one of focal points for economic development along India’s coastline, according to a draft report prepared under Sagarmala Programme of the Ministry of Shipping.
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The report on port-led-industrial development of the coastal economic clusters identifies two major maritime clusters in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat as areas with potential.