The cotton knitwear capital of India, the southern town of Tirupur, continues to be an example of well-planned and cohesive growth through mutual cooperation. The Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA), which is perhaps the most well-managed business and industry association in India, is making progress in its plans to promote a common Tirupur brand in the U.S. and EU markets. The new brand would be an assurance of quality on lines similar to the "Woolmark". Besides, a warehouse is being set up at Rotterdam, a project for which about 50 exporters have already enrolled.
Perhaps the most interesting part is a new apparel park being promoted by Tirupur-based industrial units on a cooperative basis. The foundation stone for the Netaji Apparel Park was laid on july 4, 2003. The park has already enlisted 54 members. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 30 billion (about US$62 million).
Knitwear exports from Tirupur have already crossed the US$l-billion mark, and the overall production value, including domestic sales, are perhaps over US$2 billion. Tirupur is one industrial cluster which appears to be quite sure of not only surviving but even accelerating growth in the quota-free environment post 2005. In the last couple of years or so, knitwear manufacturers in Tirupur have invested over US$200 million in modernization projects, and the new Netaji Apparel Park may result in significant additional investments.
No comments:
Post a Comment