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TAHDCO, TIIC for marketing tie-up with TEA
Sudha Swaminathan - Coimbatore

Tirupur exporters are the ray of hope for the 54 knitting units at the TAHDCO Industrial Estate, Tirupur, who are facing a dearth of orders. The Tamil Nadu Adidravidar Housing Development Corporation (TAHDCO) and Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC), which have jointly promoted the industrial estate have sought the assistance of the Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA) to uplift these units, which are the verge of becoming sick.

Hundred sheds were established at Muthilipalayam, near Tirupur during 1999 under a special scheme, initiated by Ms J Jayalalitha when she was the chief minister in 1992, to improve the standard of living of the schedule caste and schedule tribes. The units, run by first generation entrepreneurs could not sustain the stiff competition from the industry. To add to their problem, recession has hit hard, and the units are reeling under acute shortage of orders. At a recent review meeting of the state owned corporations and financial institutions, Ms Jayalalitha has taken cognizance of the problems and has directed immediate action. Under this circumstance, TAHDCO and TIIC officials have recently initiated talks with TEA and other industrialists in Tirupur. The team comprising Mr J M Balamurugan, managing director, TAHDCO, Mr Selavam, secretary, Adidravidar and Tribal Welfare and Ms D Sabitha, managing director, TIIC who met Mr A Sakthivel, president, TEA and other member exporters have requested them to consider these units for knitting and embroidery requirements.

Speaking to Express Textile, Ms Sabitha, said, “Most of them are first generation entrepreneurs with lack of technical and marketing skills. Due to inadequate orders, they are unable to operate their existing capacities. To help them out, we have sought the assistance of exporters and we have requested them to utilise the facilities. After studying, we have identified 54 knitting units and two embroidery units for promotion.” TIIC has facilitated a term loan of Rs 36 crores to the units at the industrial estate. TAHDCO has acquired the land and had provided sheds.

Talking on the other benefits of the marketing tie-up, Ms Sabitha said the new initiative besides providing orders will also help the units to improve their knowledge on the technical front. “The association with TEA can help them to increase productivity, which is currently very low. The new arrangement would help them to become self-sustainable,” she explained.