Shimla, Nov 10 : Pharmaceutical firm Mankind Pharma has got the Himachal Pradesh government's approval to set up one more facility in the state, a senior official said Tuesday.

The government allowed Mankind to set up the second unit at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district, where its first manufacturing unit is located, industries director Manoj Kumar told IANS.

The unit would be set up on an investment of Rs. 39 crore, Kumar said.

"The company will start production by 2011. This is the first company that has agreed to set up a unit after the special industrial package to expires (March 2010)," he added.

Kumar said the government has allowed furniture manufacturer Design Edge to set up a unit at Nalagarh in Solan district.

"Design Edge will invest Rs. 26.5 crore and will make modular furniture. Before setting up the unit, it has to get environmental clearance from the central empowered committee of the Supreme Court," the official said.

Tractor manufacturer Sonalika has also been given the green signal to set up a unit at Amb in Una district.

"Sonalika will invest Rs. 95 crore in the new facility. This is its second unit in the state," Kumar said.

Himachal Pradesh has attracted huge investments ever since the central government announced a special industrial package for the state in January 2003.

It currently has 38 industrial areas and 15 industrial estates.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is attempting to get the special package extended to 2013, as announced originally. (IANS)