TN Vision 2035: Industries Minister Calls on Textile Sector to Prepare for Next Phase of Growth
The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) hosted a high-level interaction with Tamil Nadu Industries Minister Selvi S. Keerthana, bringing together office-bearers of textile associations representing the entire textile value chain across the state. The meeting was attended by MLAs Kanimozhi Santhosh (Kavundampalayam), N.M. Sukumar (Sulur), and K.S. Sri Giri Prasath (Singanallur).
Tamil Nadu remains India’s leading textile hub, accounting for nearly one-third of the country’s textile business. However, the industry has been grappling with mounting challenges in recent years, particularly due to rising production costs and increasing power tariffs. Despite producing only 3–4% of its annual cotton requirement and lacking a man-made fibre manufacturing base, the state’s textile sector has sustained its competitiveness through manufacturing excellence, innovation, and strong entrepreneurial capabilities.
Industry representatives highlighted that timely interventions by the Tamil Nadu government have provided crucial support during a challenging period. Among the key measures were the recommendation to the Central Government to exempt cotton imports from the 11% duty during the off-season and the decision to defer a proposed 3.48% electricity tariff hike. These initiatives helped textile manufacturers fulfill export commitments and recover from market disruptions.
Addressing the gathering, Industries Minister Selvi S. Keerthana assured stakeholders that the government would actively pursue the sector’s key demands with Chief Minister Thiru C. Joseph Vijay and work toward implementing practical solutions within a defined timeframe. She acknowledged the urgent need to address power-related concerns and strengthen the textile processing segment, which continues to be one of the most vulnerable links in the state’s textile value chain.
The minister also emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business and revealed plans to establish a Policy Advocacy Committee comprising major textile industry stakeholders. The proposed committee is expected to facilitate regular dialogue between industry and government, helping shape policies that support growth, investment, and the long-term Vision 2035 goals for Tamil Nadu’s textile sector.
The interaction reinforced the state government’s focus on strengthening Tamil Nadu’s position as a global textile powerhouse while ensuring sustainable growth, competitiveness, and employment generation across the industry.