Karur Textile Industry Gets Major Boost with New Testing Centre Announcement
Karur, Tamil Nadu: Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh has announced that a dedicated textile testing and certification centre will soon be established in Karur, offering significant support to the region’s textile manufacturers and exporters.
The announcement was made during the golden jubilee celebrations of the Karur Textile Manufacturers and Exporters Association, held under the leadership of Honorary President Atlas M. Nachimuthu and President P. Gopalakrishnan.
Addressing the gathering, the minister described Karur as not only the textile capital of Tamil Nadu but also one of India’s leading textile manufacturing hubs. He noted that the sector provides direct and indirect employment to nearly 700,000 people, highlighting its vital contribution to the regional economy.
At present, textile manufacturers in Karur must travel to Tiruppur or Gurugram for product testing and certification. To address this challenge, the Centre plans to establish a testing and certification facility in Karur, enabling faster access to essential quality assessment services and reducing operational delays for exporters.
Giriraj Singh also praised Tamil Nadu’s contribution to India’s textile exports, particularly from Karur and Tiruppur, stating that the state’s strong export performance enhances India’s global reputation in the textile sector. He further pointed out that more than half of the workforce employed in the textile industry consists of women, making it one of the largest sources of employment for women after agriculture.
Emphasising the importance of women’s economic empowerment, the minister said that strengthening women’s participation in the workforce remains a priority for the Central Government. He added that India’s manufacturing sector, especially textiles, continues to enjoy significant demand in international markets.
During the event, Tamil Nadu Minister for Milk and Dairy Development C. Vijayalakshmi, Handlooms Minister M. Vijayabalaji, Karur MP Jyothimani, Krishnarayapuram MLA Sathya, and senior government officials were also present.
Association President P. Gopalakrishnan presented the industry’s Vision 2030 roadmap, outlining ambitious growth plans for the sector. The strategy targets a gross production value of ₹10,000 crore in the near term, with a long-term goal of ₹25,000 crore.
Under the roadmap, traditional textile exports are projected to increase from ₹7,000 crore to ₹12,000 crore, while the bedding and bath textiles segment is expected to contribute ₹4,000 crore. The association also aims to expand the technical textiles sector to ₹4,000 crore, with diversification identified as one of the key pillars driving future growth.