According to Tamil Nadu’s minister of handlooms and textiles, R Gandhi, the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has declared intentions to develop a textile metropolis close to Chennai. The announcement was made during his presentation of a Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles, and Khadi Policy Note before the state assembly.
To expand market prospects and strengthen the reputation of Tamil Nadu, the state government has also proposed 22 policy initiatives for the handloom and textile industries. One of these measures is the establishment of a Tamil Nadu Pavilion for significant international exhibits. The government has also provided monies to organise an international technical textile conference, R&D facilities, workshops, and technical textile skill development.
The minister also announced several initiatives to support the handloom industry, including establishing the Dr Kalaignar Karunanidhi Centenary Handloom Park in Arani, training and development programmes for aspiring handloom entrepreneurs, and encouragement for the industry to transition to package dyeing with zero liquid discharge facilities. Along with market research and promoting the Tamil Nadu handloom brand, the government will upgrade handlooms.
The state government was congratulated by Ravi Sam, the head of the Southern India Mills Association (SIMA), for their attempts to change the strategic direction of the Tamil Nadu textile industry. He also applauded the innovative measures implemented for the handloom industry. Sam says these regulatory changes will enhance the state’s textile and apparel industry’s whole value chain.
