Tiruppur knitwear targets MMF garment exports.

The knitwear cluster in Tiruppur, India, is looking to expand its reach by venturing into the export of man-made fiber (MMF) garments. This ambitious plan was discussed at a meeting between the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Tiruppur Exporters' Association (TEA), and other stakeholders.

The MSME Secretary, SCL Das expressed support for exploring this expansion. He announced collaboration with NITI Aayog to develop achievable growth plans for Tiruppur in the MMF sector. This initiative comes in response to a proposal by TEA's honorary chairman, A Sakthivel, who aims to increase Tiruppur's annual export turnover beyond its current Rs 35,000 crore.

The meeting also addressed the TEA's request to revise the criteria for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, a government program that provides financial incentives to companies in specific sectors. TEA proposed setting the investment threshold at Rs 25 crore and the turnover requirement at Rs 75 crore, making it easier for Tiruppur's knitwear businesses to participate.

This focus on the MSME sector aligns with the national goal of strengthening this vital contributor to India's economy. MSMEs account for a significant portion, 39 per cent, of the country's exports. Recognizing this importance, the MSME Secretary, Das, highlighted the need for supportive policies.

This collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders paves the way for Tiruppur's knitwear sector to become a leader in the MMF garment export market.