CII Southern Region Commits to Empowering MSMEs for Viksit Bharat by 2047 Launches State-Level Task Force for Industry 4.0 Readiness to catalyze their Growth.

Chennai, 8th April 2024: “The Confederation of Indian Industry, Southern Region (CIISR) will contribute to Viksit Bharat aimed at transforming India into a fully developed nation by the year 2047. For the Southern Region, the key focus areas are innovation, economic growth, and regional resilience as it stands as a cornerstone of India’s economic prowess showcasing a diverse industrial landscape, a skilled labor force, and a robust infrastructure,” said Dr R Nandini, Chairperson, CII Southern Region & Managing Director, Chandra Textiles Pvt Ltd, at her maiden press conference in Chennai today. She takes over as Chairperson of CII Southern Region for the period 2024-25 along with Mr Thomas John Muthoot, Deputy Chairman, CII Southern Region & Chairman & Managing Director, Muthoot Fincorp Ltd.

Outlining the key strategy areas for the year 2024-2025, Dr Nandini said, “Under the banner of South India@100, the theme aligned with CII National theme is Transformation through Competitiveness, Growth, Sustainability, Trust & Globalisation. This year too, CII SR is initiating a 9-Tracks program focusing on education, skills, sustainability, tech adoption, energy transition, startups, MSMEs & EODB, manufacturing competitiveness, global partnerships, Wellbeing & Healthcare and Brand Building & Sectoral Promotion,”.

“We would continue to work closely with the Southern State Governments and Industry assisting and facilitating in empowering MSMEs, catalyzing the tier 2 and 3 cities across the region, and promoting sustainable industrial growth in the coming years,” she added. Highlighting plans for Tamil Nadu, Dr Nandini said, “To achieve this ambitious goal of making Tamil Nadu achieve $1 Trillion by 2030, empowering MSMEs, catalyzing tier 2 and tier 3 cities across the state, and promoting sustainable industrial growth is vital. In this regard, CII SR has chalked out a three-pronged strategy – first to promote Southern States as an attractive investment destination globally, second, to work with existing industries for their competitiveness development of their business operations and provide global linkages and thirdly, help Industries follow ESG practices for a sustainable South India.

Detailing the action points under the Manufacturing Competitiveness category, she said, “CII will work closely with the State Government in bringing State level policies on Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, as these are very important in realising the economic goals and vision of Southern States. CII has further set up a state-level Task Force on Digital Transformation to support industries in their digitalization initiatives. This is primarily to make CII member companies ready for Industry 4.0,”.

“CII will continue to handhold 3000+ MSMEs who will be serviced and sensitized on various elements of competitiveness in collaboration with CII Centres of Excellence,” she added.

“On the Growth front, CII would give special focus on State Level Industrial Policies and sectoral policies in areas like Startups, Fintech, AI, Logistics and Sustainability. CII will work with the Government in the development of Industrial Parks in Tier II and Tier III towns.

Expanding further on the development of Tier II & III Industrial Cities, Dr Nandini said, “Tier II and Tier III cities are the growth engines of any State. We must transform these cities into industrial hubs. With the CII Southern Region having 18 Offices in the South and 9 Offices in Tamil Nadu, strengthening our engagement with Industries in Tier II and Tier III cities will lead to overall economic growth. Recently, we opened our Karur office to assist and strengthen the 80-plus members” , she added.

“Sustainability, the third category is a very important focus for CII and the Government. CII has commenced working with the industry on the energy transition from conventional to clean energy. We expect to start seeing results in the coming years. Lastly, on the Globalization front, CII will work with States in formulating policies to boost exports as it is very important for the future of Indian Industry and the Mystic South Summit in January 2025 will bring in global investors community to Chennai where South India’s Industry would be showcased,” she pointed out.

Highlighting the increase in membership numbers in the Southern States, Mr Thomas John Muthoot said, “CII SR has 3069 Members in the region with 63% constituting MSMEs of which Tamil Nadu continues to lead the country in terms of membership at 1418”.