Minister for Social Welfare P Geetha Jeevan stated that a total 98 small and micro enterprises (MSME) have shown interest in setting up manufacturing units in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu bringing investment aggregating Rs 1,583.80 crore. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed recently with the MSMEs in the presence of the Minister.

Among these, one of the MSME units proposes to manufacture spare parts for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with a plan to invest Rs 200 crore. The other units, which had signed the MoU, are expected to set up food processing, matches, modern rice mills, chemicals and automobile spare units, among others. This will help generate direct job opportunities for about 5,717 people.

While the investors are from other districts, including Chennai and Coimbatore, the units would be established in Thoothukudi. Further, the first unit is anticipated to be functional by March 2024, and others will operate in phases within three years. The MSMEs, apart from getting swift processing of their papers through a single window, would be eligible for incentives.

As per District Industries Centre (DIC), the district had been given a target of Rs 1,500 crore, which had been achieved. Through a single window, the MSMEs would play the role of a catalyst and offer all possible assistance to 98 units.