Bhave said the government has already identified sites for the proposed component park at Ranjangaon, Talegaon and Chakan near Pune. Auto major Fiat, which is putting up its project at Ranjangaon, has already set up component shop there.

Bhave told reporters at a function organised by CII that Tata Auto Corp has also decided to establish a similar park in Pune district with an investment of about Rs 350 crore through a joint venture. The Tatas will have 50 per cent stake while the balance will be shared by about 30 companies.

Bhave said the government was watching the development on this front. However, he added state government has no plans to tie up with Tatas in this project.

According to Bhave, Maharashtra will be the partner state in the proposed India Engineering Trade Fair'99 commencing from February 12 at New Delhi.

The fair has beenorganised by the CII and the Republic of Korea will be the partner country. Maharashtra will have a pavilion in the fair and project its achievements in information technology, infrastructure, agro industry, tourism, entertainment, culture and automobiles.

The state government has decided to observe the year 1999 as the IT year and the government and its various corporations will make an effort to project its initiatives in the development of IT and software in the state. Bhave said that a global convention and exhibition on IT will be organised in November.