Integrated textile parks to fetch Rs 37 billion export revenue

Union Minister for Textiles, Dayanidhi Maran, while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Madurai integrated textile park at Thathampatti near Chennai, recently stated that the eight textile parks (ITPs) intended to be set up in the state of Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 21 billion, are expected to generate export revenues worth Rs 37 billion.

He further stated that, the eight ITPs planned to be established in Tamil Nadu, represented just 20 percent of the total 40 integrated textile parks that the Centre proposed to establish across the country. Through the establishment of these ITPs, job opportunities would be created for around 80,000 people, the Minister said.

As the first 15 units of the recently inaugurated Madurai ITP set up with a cost of one billion rupees, went operational, they generated export revenues worth Rs 750 million, he said. He also added that the park is likely to draw a further investment of three billion rupees, while its exports are likely to grow up to five billion rupees and would provide employment to 7,000 workers.

The Minister further stated that, as the state government has a good accord with the central government, more such development projects are likely to flow into the state.

He also revealed that, the central government proposed to establish two large-sized handloom clusters in the country, of which the foundation for the Virudhunagar cluster has already been laid and work has also commenced there. All this became possible because the state government was very much eager to implement the Centre-aided programmes.

The DMK government has kept all its promises that it had made prior to the elections. Further, Rita Menon – Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, said that weaving and garments would remain to be the main focus of these ITPs.