SPEED 2006 attracts investment in southern districts ,Textile Special Economic Zone in Tuticorin

Tuticorin gets Textile Special Economic Zone

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has mooted the formation of a joint body, including representatives of the Government and the industry, to facilitate a hassle-free industrialisation of southern districts.

Addressing media persons here on Monday on the impact of the recent three-day Southern Prosperity through Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) 2006, a meet organised to showcase the strengths of the southern districts, T. Kannan, its chairman, said that a joint body had become imperative when investors were looking at Madurai in a big way.

During the meet, industrial commitments to the tune of over Rs.5000 crore were made. They included Rs.4500 crore investment in a proposed IT park by RR Industries, Rs.120 crore in a heritage hotel, mall and a convention centre by ETL Infrastructure Services, Rs.10 crore in a rice bran oil refinery, Rs.30 crore in a joint venture by Madras Holland, Rs.450 crore in a textile special economic zone in Tuticorin and Rs.25 crore in a cancer hospital by Apollo Hospitals. These were in addition to the joint initiative of Thiagarajar College of Engineering with MICO (to train carpenters, electricians and plumbers) and TVS ICS for research in mobile connectivity.

The State Government, he said, should come out with a master plan for the development of southern districts, providing a clear perspective. The CII would create a special cell and similar cells had to be created in government departments and ELCOT for project information and development.