An Ahmedabad-based corporate group opened a unit at the industrial park in Malda on Thursday with an investment of Rs 300 crore to manufacture starch and ethanol.

The Gujarat Ambuja Exports Limited (GAEL), which is engaged in the agro-processing sector with maize products and edible oils, will invest Rs 200 crore additionally in the next two months on the same site.

“We will make starch and ethanol from maize at this unit. There are plans to export these items to different countries in Asia and Europe,” said Sandip Agarwal, an executive director of the group.

According to sources, around 450 people will be employed at the plant. The Malda unit is the first of the company in eastern India.

In recent times, this is one of the major industrial investments in Malda and in north Bengal. Last year, another major investment was made by Star Cement, which has set up a Rs 450-crore plant in the Jalpaiguri district.

Shashi Panja, the state commerce and industry minister, inaugurated the Malda plant that was set up on an 80-acre plot at the industrial park of the WBIIDC (West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation).

“It is undoubtedly a significant outcome of the chief minister’s initiative to bring private investments from other states. Her plan will improve the industrial scene in the state, including north Bengal,” said Panja.

The investment would also help the Trinamul Congress counter the saffron camp, said the ruling party’s functionaries.

The BJP has been alleging that the Mamata Banerjee government has failed to bring in major investments in the state, especially in north Bengal. It is because of lack of job opportunities that thousands of youths are migrating to other states, the BJP has said.

“BJP leaders have been again proved wrong. Earlier, the Adani Group had announced huge investments in Bengal and would develop the Tajpur port. Now, other companies from Gujarat have started coming to Bengal and making investments even in districts like Malda,” said Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, a senior Trinamul leader and the chairman of Englishbazar municipality.

The opening of the Malda unit will boost the economy of Malda, a district that is also known for its maize cultivation — spread over an area of around 30,000 hectares — along with mangoes and silk.

“Establishment of this plant will boost other investors and encourage maize production in the district. Also, the unit will accrue indirect employment. We want similar investments for mangoes and silk in Malda,” said Himadrie Roy, an executive committee member of the Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce.

Airport opening

Panja, the state minister, reiterated that the government was keen to have flight services from Malda, a longstanding demand of the residents.

“The state wants to ensure flight services from here. A delegation of MPs has already taken up the matter with the Centre. If no initiative is taken by the central government, we will have to think of alternatives,” she said.