Latest news with #GuidanceTamilNadu
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu sees Blue Economy as a powerful tool to bring sustainable prosperity to coastal districts
Of late, there has been a growing buzz around the blue economy in Tamil Nadu power corridors. The phrase implies economic activities associated with the ocean, seas and coastal regions, which includes shipbuilding, processing and exporting of seafood, and coastal tourism. Tamil Nadu boasts of having the second longest coastline in India (after Gujarat). But the resource hasn't been tapped to a satisfactory extent. And that is something the TN govt is out to fix. "As TN charts its course towards our CM's (M K Stalin) ambition of a $1 trillion economy, the Blue Economy presents some of the most exciting opportunities. Despite having the second longest coastline in India, we believe our coast is still underutilized from an economic standpoint. This is something we are now addressing with urgency through a vision laid out by our CM," said T R B Rajaa, TN Minister for Industries. "We see the Blue Economy as a powerful tool to bring sustainable prosperity to our coastal districts, through investments that create large job opportunities for both skilled and semi-skilled talents," he added. The state's approach is strategic and focused on three key areas – shipbuilding, seafood processing and coastal tourism. Each of these has the potential to dramatically transform livelihoods and local economies. "The key strategy is maximizing the potential of TN's long coastline. Besides the focus areas, we could tap the state's port facilities spread across its coast. Shipbuilding is an area that has drawn the attention of the Centre as well. The Centre has ambitious plans to be part of the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047. In February, during the Union Budget 2025, a key maritime sector announcement was regarding the establishment of the ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF) to support long-term investments in the sector. The other big ticket takeaway was the introduction of the revamped Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP 2.0) to encourage more participation in shipbuilding activities. With an improved outlay of ₹18,090 crore, this policy is aimed at strengthening domestic shipyards and enhancing their global competitiveness. Tamil Nadu is also working on a Marine Transport policy which could be out in a month, and this could generate a lot of economic opportunities," said Darez Ahamed, MD & CEO, Guidance Tamil Nadu. To understand the potential offered by shipbuilding - consider that just one anchor investor can unlock an entire value chain of MSMEs in welding, precision engineering, logistics and marine services. The state has already initiated talks with global players to set up shipbuilding facilities in TN. As per sources, the order books of these international operators are packed till 2032. On its part, the state must provide the infrastructure needed to help them to establish their units here. For every job created inside the shopfloor of a shipbuilding company, seven jobs will be created outside. That's the potential it offers, say stakeholders. In the seafood sector, TN is no longer content with being just a supplier of raw catch. The game plan now is to build end-to-end infrastructure for seafood processing, cold chains and export-quality packaging, ensuring that value addition happens right here in the state's fishing hamlets, creating better incomes and sustainable livelihoods for the coastal communities. Infrastructure, especially roads connecting the coastal belt, cold chains along the TN coast, availability of power for these cold chains, mapping the wasteland on the coast, utilizing it adequately for growth of marine food and processing industries, are some of the key areas TN should focus on, said a leading consultant for the marine food industry, on condition of anonymity. "We will be addressing all the issues that have been holding back the growth of the seafood industry in Tamil Nadu, vis-a-vis neighbouring states including Andhra Pradesh, which accounts for Rs 26,000 crore worth seafood exports as against TN's Rs 8,000 crore. We would soon match the best performing states in this sector," a TN govt official said. Coastal tourism is a major plus point. Tamil Nadu's coast is beautiful, diverse and rich in culture, but it remains largely unexplored. The state is developing a blueprint to unlock this through sustainable, community-led tourism, which will entail eco-friendly resorts, avenues for water-based recreational activities and support for local entrepreneurship. The aim is to make the coast a world-class destination; while keeping it rooted in tradition. "To ensure this transformation is inclusive, we plan to skill the youth in coastal regions through initiatives under the Naan Mudhalvan programme. We want our coastal communities to be more than beneficiaries. They must be the driving force behind this change. Tamil Nadu's Blue Economy strategy is also about building a just, green and resilient future for our coastal communities, and we are committed to making it a reality," Rajaa said. So, of the three segments that have got the special focus under the Blue Economy strategy, which one might get a head start? "We would like all three to take off big-time, since the opportunities are significant. But realistically, the first shipbuilding could take off in just about a year from now," says Guidance Tamil Nadu's Ahamed. That's just on the horizon.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Guidance Tamil Nadu sets up desk in Vietnam: Industries Minister
State Industries Minister, T.R.B. Rajaa on Monday said Guidance Tamil Nadu, the nodal agency for investment promotion, had set iup a desk in Vietnam. This desk will connect with the Vietnamese industry and promote the capabilities of Tamil Nadu. Soon, we will establish such desks in many other countries, he said in a post on X. Mr. Rajaa was in Hanoi in the country as a part of Tamil Nadu's roadshow.
New Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu sets up investment desk in Vietnam to deepen industrial ties
CHENNAI: In a fresh bid to expand its international investment footprint, the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has established a dedicated investment facilitation desk in Vietnam, aiming to capitalise on Southeast Asia's growing industrial base and deepen bilateral economic ties. The desk, launched by Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state's investment promotion agency, forms part of a broader Global Outreach initiative to position Tamil Nadu as a globally integrated industrial hub. Similar offices have already been set up in the United States, Germany, and Japan, as the state seeks to rebrand itself to foreign investors. 'Tamil Nadu's capabilities a highly skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, and industry-friendly policies deserve global recognition,' said Dr TRB Rajaa, Tamil Nadu's Minister for Industries. 'To realise this vision, we must build a global presence through outposts like this one in Vietnam.' The newly launched Vietnam desk is expected to serve as a strategic link between Vietnamese enterprises and Tamil Nadu's manufacturing ecosystem, promoting opportunities in sectors such as electronics, electric mobility, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
U.S.-based Workday to establish Global Capability Centre in Chennai: Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa
Minister for Industries T.R.B. Rajaa on Monday (April 28, 2025) said Guidance Tamil Nadu, the State government's investment promotion agency, has signed a memorandum of understanding with United States-based Workday, which will establish a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Chennai with an investment of around ₹220 crore, creating up to 3,000 jobs. Workday is a world-renowned provider of enterprise cloud. Workday's decision to set up their GCC in Chennai is yet another illustration of Tamil Nadu's leadership as a global hub for digital innovation, Mr. Rajaa said in a post on X. The company's Chennai facility will be a strategic hub for product and technology development supporting Workday's global operations, focusing on next-generation AI technologies, he added.
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Taiwan deal to get Rs 10K crore investment and 20 thousand jobs for Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: After Industries Minister Dr TRB Rajaa announced the setting up of Taiwanese Industrial Parks to attract Rs 10,000 crore in investments and generate around 20,000 jobs on the state assembly, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce. The MoU, signed on Saturday between Guidance Tamil Nadu and the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, is part of a series of agreements the state will enter into with the chamber to establish clusters, following Friday's announcement, Dr Rajaa said. 'This is one of many such clusters we will create in Tamil Nadu. This park alone has the potential to attract investments worth Rs 1,800 crore and create 5,000 jobs,' Dr. Rajaa said in a social media post on X. Taiwan Chamber of Commerce-India Vice General Simon Lee, Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Chennai President Eric Chang, Industries Department Secretary V Arun Roy, and Guidance Tamil Nadu MD and CEO Darez Ahamed were present at the signing ceremony. 'Taiwanese investments already form a strong pillar of Tamil Nadu's FDI, especially in electronics and footwear. Recognising the need for a dedicated manufacturing space for Taiwanese vendors and companies, we are developing exclusive Indo-Taiwan Industrial Parks, built to international standards,' the minister said. 'On Friday, we made the announcement on the floor of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, and today we have signed the MoU and begun the work. That is the speed and commitment of this government under the leadership of our Honourable Chief Minister MK Stalin,' he added. 'Our bigger ambition is to attract Rs 10,000 crore of Taiwanese investments, creating over 20,000 jobs in focus sectors like electronic components, technical textiles, and footwear components,' the minister said.
