Karur textile exporters eye Rs 10000cr

The Karur Textile Manufacturer Exporters Association (KTMEA) is targeting to touch the Rs 10,000-crore mark in exports by 2010. Currently, the region exports textile worth Rs 3,500 crore.

Speaking to Business Standard, R Murlidhar, CEO of the association, said they were confident of achieving the target.

However, he expressed concern over the three major hurdles "� poor infrastructure, labour laws and low productivity "� that could hamper the robust export activities.

Infrastructure facilities like better roads, sufficient water supply, proper sanitation and uninterrupted power supply had to be ensured for the industry to perform well. Outdated labour laws like the one which prevented women labourers from working during night shifts, needs to be amended, he added.

The association has enlisted about 120 direct members, all of whom are into exports business.

The industry in the region has been fragmented into sectors like weaving, dyeing, sizing, bleaching, pattern-making and stitching. Murlidhar said that these sectors had to be integrated for achieving the export target in four years.

The Karur export market focuses on home textile products like furnishing, decorative linen, bedspread, curtain cloth, bathroom requirements, pillows and pillow cases, among others. All these products require frequent designing to meet the requirement of the end-user abroad. The association was deliberating on all these issues and would come out with an action plan in this regard soon, he said.

The association, along with the Tamil Nadu government, has commissioned a common effluent treatment plant in the textile town. KTMEA is also in talks with the Airports Authority of India for setting up a cargo hub on the premises of Trichy airport.