The newly appointed Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C Joseph Vijay, has been urged by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) to support the global branding of “Made in Tirupur” and create a state-level clothing and textile development board. 

AEPC submitted a representation seeking strong policy support to help Tamil Nadu’s apparel industry to achieve its Rs 1 lakh crore (US $10.51 billion)  target by 2030.

Faster development of affordable rental housing for garment workers, the inclusion of worker hostels under residential electricity tariff categories, and safer transport and welfare initiatives for women employees were identified as important measures to support industry growth.

A 50% capital subsidy for the construction of worker hostels, along with interest subsidies on the remaining project cost, was also proposed, given the sector’s dependence on migrant and women workers.

The representation further highlighted the need for targeted financial assistance for export-focused MSMEs through easier access to working capital, interest subsidies, and support for modernisation, automation and technology upgrades.

Improved road and rail connectivity to Thoothukudi and Chennai ports, promotion of multimodal logistics, competitive industrial power tariffs, renewable energy adoption, and support for sustainable manufacturing systems such as zero liquid discharge facilities and common effluent treatment plants were also recommended.

The council additionally called for easing regulatory compliance for MSMEs, organising international buyer-seller meets in Tirupur, strengthening the global identity of ‘Made in Tirupur’, and launching a Tirupur Knitwear Development Mission through structured collaboration between the government and industry.

Meanwhile, Tiruppur Exporters Association congratulated the new Chief Minister and sought further infrastructure development to reinforce Tirupur’s position as a specialised export hub and maintain its global competitiveness.