CANADIAN CO TO SET UP ANIMATION PARK IN GUJARAT

Kalpesh Damor, Mumbai/Ahmedabad, January 12, 2009
Business Standard

Probably it would be Asia's first park exclusively for animation.

Despite global recession investment seems to be pouring in Gujarat from all parts of the world. Canada-based Information Technology (IT) company Mont Blanc Investment Holding Inc. has zeroed in on Gujarat to set up a dedicated Animation Park, which would probably be the first such animation park in Asia.

The Canadian corporate is likely to pump in around Rs. 200 crore for the project. "The company will ink a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Gujarat government tomorrow at Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit-2009 in Ahmedabad," said Toronto-based Gujarati Business Association's (GBA) president Mukund Purohit, who was here in Ahmedabad as part of Canadian business delegation under the leadership of Patric Brown, member of Canadian Parliament. The delegates will also take part in the summit.

"One Canadian IT company is investing in Gujarat", confirmed Patric Brown. The company is yet to finalise a location for the proposed animation park but it will also house academic institutes for animation along with a university. It will provide all the necessary training and infrastructure for animation, including film animation.

In order to further strengthen Gujarat's trade relations with Canada, state's apex industry body Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has joined hands with GBA to start "Overseas NRG Wing" at its office in the city. It will facilitate and help Gujarati businessmen in Canada to start their projects and businesses in Gujarat.

"GCCI further wants to launch its branch in Canada," said Rupesh Shah, president, GCCI. Similarly, GBA is also exploring possibilities of setting up its branch in Gujarat.