Latest news with #TMAnbarasan
New Indian Express
03-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Stalin pushed for ban on lighters before EPS, says Anbarasan
CHENNAI: Following AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami's assurance to Kovilpatti matchbox workers that lighters would be banned if his party came to power, MSME Minister TM Anbarasan said that the union government had already banned lighters under Rs 20 and the import of their spare parts, based on CM MK Stalin's demands. Anbarasan on Saturday said Stalin had written to the union ministry of commerce and industry in September 2022, demanding a ban on lighters. 'Although lighters under Rs 20 were banned in June 2023, spare parts were imported from various countries and assembled locally to sell lighters. We took up the matter again and pushed for the ban of spare parts in October 2024.' He further said that although during the Russia-Ukraine war the import of potassium chloride was affected, the TN government 'acted swiftly and procured it through Chennai Petrochemicals, and supplied it to matchbox manufacturers.' The Tamil Nadu government had also announced a facilitating centre for 'Kadali Mittai' manufacturing at a cost of Rs 7.13 crore with Rs 6.42 crore subsidy.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How Tamil Nadu's MSMEs are powering inclusive growth and global competitiveness
The MSME sector contributes 30 per cent to Tamil Nadu's industrial output and 15 per cent to India's overall GDP. With more than 30 lakh registered MSMEs employing over 2.5 crore people, the state's MSME ecosystem is marked by maturity, resilience, and adaptability. A blend of regional specialisations, modern practices, and global market orientation underpins this success. Policy framework anchored in innovation Thiru. T M Anbarasan, Hon'ble Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department, Government of Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Minister for MSMEs, T M Anbarasan, attributes the state's progress to its forward-thinking policy ecosystem. The MSME Policy of 2021 focuses on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, while a range of initiatives,from capital subsidies and interest subventions to patent facilitation and cluster development, create a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs. Digital reforms, including a single-window clearance system and an e-governance portal, continue to streamline business processes and enhance transparency. According to the minister, Tamil Nadu is not just scaling up its industrial capacity; it is reimagining what inclusive and innovation-led MSME growth can look like. By blending infrastructure with dignity-based financial support, rural entrepreneurship with industrial clusters, and innovation with inclusion, the state offers a replicable model for MSME-led transformation in India. He says the state is heavily invested in MSME infrastructure to suit the requirements of industries. The minister lists out some of the major initiatives- Dr Atul Anand IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. New-age infrastructure for MSMEs A pharmaceutical industrial cluster is being established in Tindivanam (Villupuram district) with INR 71.56 crore investment. 46 industrial plots are already in the development phase. Near Chennai's industrial hubs at Guindy and Ambattur, a three-storey complex comprising 366 MSME units is being built with 183.91 lakh in private investment. Affordable worker housing has been created in Chennai and Coimbatore, with facilities for 1,698 MSME workers now operational. These were built at a cost of INR 61.82 crore and offer minimal rent options. A new industrial facility in Kanchipuram district, combining INR 33.33 crore in government support with INR 47.62 crore in private investment, is underway. The first phase, worth INR18.18 crore, began in November. Listing out a few programmes, he points out that Tamil Nadu's startup ecosystem has been receiving a quiet but consistent push. INR 18.79 crore has been invested in 169 early-stage companies INR 51.20 crore has gone to 36 SC/ST-founded startups Over four years, a total of INR 69.99 crore has been invested across 205 startups He says that even at the school level, INR 21.86 lakh was allocated in 2022 under the School Innovation Development Scheme to encourage early innovation among students. Building industrial ecosystems In a major boost to sectoral growth, Tamil Nadu has invested INR 365 crore to develop 13 industrial parks comprising 2,513 plots, aimed at expanding manufacturing capacity and supporting MSME clusters. Additionally, six new industrial estates are being established under an INR 239.54 crore outlay, with INR 209.39 crore already deployed. At the Global Investors Meet held in January, the state signed a record 5,608 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for MSME establishments, an unprecedented leap that is expected to significantly drive investment, infrastructure development, and employment generation across key industrial regions. Global outlook for local startups The launch of the Global Startup Conclave signals Tamil Nadu's intention to position itself as a hub for international entrepreneurship. Cross-border partnerships, technology exchanges, and market access programmes are helping local startups tap into global markets and attract investment, reinforcing the state's commitment to a future-ready innovation economy. Women entrepreneurs lead the way Atul Anand, additional chief secretary of the MSME department, highlights Tamil Nadu's leadership in women-led enterprises. Nearly 10 lakh women entrepreneurs now make up one-third of the state's MSMEs. The decentralised nature of the industrial landscape, spanning sectors from Tiruppur's knitwear and Ambur–Vaniyambadi's leather to Coimbatore's engineering and Chennai's automotive tooling, enables diverse participation and regional economic development. Institutional initiatives strengthen sectoral growth Flagship programmes spearheaded by the MSME Department include vendor development initiatives that connect local enterprises with government buyers, and reverse buyer-seller meets that facilitate global exposure, resulting in over 130 MoUs and direct benefits to more than 1,000 MSMEs. The newly launched artisan scheme, unveiled by the chief minister, focuses on upskilling traditional craftspeople. Meanwhile, support for 55 MSME clusters and common facility centres is backed by a 272 crore allocation this year. 'At the core of Tamil Nadu's MSME success lies policy consistency, institutional strength, and robust implementation,' says Atul Anand. 'With an eye on green energy, high-tech innovation, and digital transformation, MSMEs are not peripheral but foundational to the state's economic aspirations.' Industry perspectives from the ground M Ramesh, Managing Director, Alphacraft Pvt Ltd M Ramesh, managing director of Alphacraft Pvt Ltd, observes that the Indian MSME manufacturing sector is at a significant moment. He believes the next five to seven years will determine whether it can transition from low-value operations to high-value global manufacturing. With improved infrastructure and targeted incentives, Tamil Nadu's MSMEs are poised to lead. Innovation reaches the last mile K. Veluswami, Chairman - The Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF), Coimbatore Zone and Managing Director, Mark Engineering. K Veluswami, chairman of the Institute of Indian Foundrymen (Coimbatore chapter) and managing director of Mark Engineering, notes that the accessibility of advanced tools, once the preserve of large manufacturers, is now transforming small enterprises. This levelling of the innovation field is reconfiguring the industrial fabric of Tamil Nadu, enabling smaller units to compete on quality, precision, and agility. Associations bridge the policy–A reality gap M. Karthikeyan is the President of CODISSIA and Managing Director of Sukshma Dynamics Pvt. Ltd M Karthikeyan, president of CODISSIA and managing director of Sukshma Dynamics Pvt Ltd, emphasises the critical role of industry associations in shaping and delivering outcomes. CODISSIA serves as a conduit between government schemes and grassroots enterprises, ensuring that policy decisions translate into actionable support. He underlines the need for sustained handholding of micro and small units to achieve Tamil Nadu's $1 trillion economy target by 2030. Tech enablement drives the next phase The government's partnership with institutions like IIT-Madras is catalysing AI-based productivity solutions for MSMEs. Awareness programmes are being run across industrial estates through initiatives like FAME-TN, aimed at driving the adoption of ERP, AI, and IoT tools. These collaborations are positioning MSMEs to scale up with technological confidence. The MSME success story The success of Tamil Nadu's MSME sector is anchored in a forward-looking policy framework, notably the MSME Policy of 2021, which places strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. The state has fostered a supportive ecosystem for startups, offering a range of incentives such as capital subsidies, interest subventions, patent reimbursements, and cluster-based development programmes aimed at enhancing competitiveness and upskilling the workforce. In addition, digital initiatives like the e-governance portal and single-window clearance system have significantly improved the ease of doing business, enabling faster clearances and greater transparency. The Global Startup Conclave, launched by the Tamil Nadu MSME Department, is a further reflection of the state's vision to internationalise its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through cross-border partnerships, market access programmes, and technology exchanges, Tamil Nadu is paving the way for local startups to scale globally and attract foreign investment. Flagship initiatives Vendor development programmes that connect MSMEs with prospective government buyers Reverse buyer-seller meets, facilitating global market access and resulting in over 130 MoUs and benefits to 1,000+ MSMEs A new artisan-centric scheme, launched by the Chief Minister, aimed at upskilling traditional artisans Support for 55 MSME clusters and common facility centres, with 272 crore allocated this year alone Key trends The China+1 strategy is prompting global firms to diversify sourcing, with sectors like electronics, auto components, and textiles showing strong potential Production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes are fuelling demand in key manufacturing areas Gradual adoption of digital tools, such as CNC machines, ERP platforms, IoT devices, and AI-driven solutions, is beginning to reshape MSME workflows. Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . Discover stories of India's leading eco-innovators at Ecopreneur Honours 2025
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu awards ₹40.5 lakh to 65 student innovations under state programmes
CHENNAI: Sixty-five student-led inventions were awarded Rs 40.5 lakh under Tamil Nadu's Innovation Voucher and School Innovation Development programmes, MSME Minister TM Anbarasan announced at an event at Anna University on Tuesday. The state has ramped up support for student innovation and entrepreneurship, awarding Rs 12.73 crore to young inventors and training over 30 lakh students through state-led initiatives. Among the innovations showcased were a robotic road roller, a safety belt for ship workers, and a pineapple harvesting device-developed by school and college students across the state. Over the past four years, the EDII has trained more than 71,000 individuals, with another 19,000 expected this year. Its School Innovation Development Programme has reached 21.8 lakh students across 8,000 government and aided schools.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
DPR for Kurichi gold jewellery park complete: Minister Anbarasan
COIMBATORE: The Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), TM Anbarasan, said that a detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared and steps will be taken soon to set up a gold jewellery park at Kurichi in the city. Addressing reporters after a meeting with representatives of gold jewellery producers association, he said that the building would span 8.57 lakh square feet, in an area of 2.46 acres, in Kurichi-Sidco Industrial Estate. "Chief Minister MK Stalin had announced last November that a gold jewellery park would be set up at the Sidco Industrial Estate at Rs 126 crore. Subsequently, we have completed the DPR. The park includes gold jewellery workshops, a general facility centre for gold jewellery manufacturing, 3D printing and laser cutting facilities, Hallmark quality testing lab. The project also has various special features like a security vault, state-of-the-art surveillance, exhibition hall, conference hall, a training centre and a parking lot," he said. 18 representatives of the gold jewellery manufacturers association participated in the consultative meeting and their suggestions were heard by officials. The minister added that their will be taken into consideration by the government. Further, he said that the district has received Rs 316.54 crore with a subsidy of Rs 69.55 crore, under five types of self-employment schemes in the last four years. He added that the construction of the coir cluster at Rs 8.80 crore in Pollachi will be completed in July. and ongoing construction of Cosiema Private Industrial Estate at Solavampalayam at Rs 18.06 crore will be completed in two months. An MoU was signed in the presence of the Minister TM Anbarasan, on behalf of Si-Tarc, a firm which will set up a facility centre for EV motor testing in Kurichi at an estimated cost of Rs 9.97 crore.
