Telangana to set up a Furniture Park in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Aug 9 (IANS) The Telangana government will be a setting up dedicated industrial park for furniture manufacturing here, a top official said on Friday.

The Furniture Park will come up over 100 acres of land on the outskirts of the city. It will house various furniture manufacturers.

State's Principal Secretary, Industry and Commerce, Jayesh Ranjan revealed this at the first anniversary celebration of leading Swedish home furnishing retailer IKEA's first India store here.

Urging IKEA to bring their global suppliers to set up operations at the proposed park, he suggested IKEA officials explain to their suppliers the benefits, incentives and support the Telangana government will offer.

Ranjan said a separate enclave in the park may be created for the suppliers of IKEA, adding that the move will also help IKEA manage the logistic costs as it look to open stores in various parts of the country.

He also wanted IKEA to play an active role in getting the proposed academy in retail skills to Hyderabad. The Retail Association of India (RAI) proposed to set up the academy.

Ranjan suggested that IKEA may impress up on RAI to set up the academy in Hyderabad by offering their store for the trainees so that they are the exposed to best practices.

He also urged IKEA to set up their first small format store in Warangal town of Telangana, just as it choose Hyderabad to set up first large format store in the country.

Seeking the Swedish firm's support in promoting handicrafts and textiles of Telangana, he asked it to take 'Nirmal' painting and 'Cheriyal' scroll painting to their stores across the world.

Swedish Ambassador to India Klas Molin, IKEA India CEO Peter Betzel and other company officials were present on the occasion.