ICCK

Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (Tidco) has been tasked with promoting non-traditional segments and building new clusters. In an interview to TOI, Tidco’s special secretary and project director
B Krishnamoorthy offers insight into how critical all this will be to achieve Tamil Nadu’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Excerpts: 

 How is Tidco growing non-traditional segments such as aerospace, defence logistics and med tech beyond joint ventures and common usage infrastructure?
The very objective of establishing Tidco back in 1965 was for Tamil Nadu’s sustained industrial development. Initially the mode was through joint ventures but subsequently the leadership of Tidco realised the changing ecosystem and started creating common usage infrastructure such as TREAT, testing facilities and centres of excellence. Now Tidco has started future proofing TN’s industrial growth by entering non-traditional segments such as aerospace and defence, logistics, life sciences in line with the changing industrial ecosystem. Tidco is also promoting the TN Emerging Sector Seed Fund to play a vital role in the startup era of today.

 Which non-traditional segment has the most potential to scale up quickly?
India is a huge importer in aerospace and defence but focus on self-reliance has started to reverse that trend. Tamil Nadu’s core strengths in automotive, electrical and electronicS industry means it can benefit from this self-reliance initiative. Similarly, Tamil Nadu is a leader in the medicare domain. Add to that the advancement in R&D technology and it is natural to organically explore sectors such as medical devices and pharma.
 What’s the update on the proposed logistics park?

The state govt has embarked on a mission to reduce the time and cost of transportation. Sandeep Naduri, MD of Tidco, is fast-tracking work on the proposed multimodal logistics park at Mappedu. It’s been a year since the laying of the foundation stone and Tidco has already finalised the selection of the concessionaire. Most of the land required for the project has been acquired and we are confident that this will become the first functional MMLP of the country. The second MMLP of the state will be established near Coimbatore. The land parcel has been identified and acquisition initiated.

 What is the update on the defence corridor being developed by Tidco?

After understanding the capabilities in the state to support the A&D domain, a number of interventions have been made resulting in enhanced traction with various companies. As on date, we have a committed investment of about `20,000 crore against the target set by the Govt of India of `10,000 crore by 2024. By 2030, this corridor should contribute more than $40 million. 

 What about your plans to set up space manufacturing parks?

During the recently concluded GIM, we signed MoUs with Agnikul Cosmos, Premier Explosives and these firms will eventually move to the space parks. OneWeb is already in the process of establishing its facility in the region. We have also signed an MoU with IN-SPACe for establishing common facilities and technical guidance to space industries to set up their facilities in TNDIC. Other discussions are in advanced stages. The small satellite launch complex of ISRO will be functional by 2026, which is when the park’s occupancy will peak. We have a dream of creating a space bay around the space port at Kulasekarapattinam along the lines of the space coast of Florida. We will work with industry, ISRO and IN-SPACe to realise this.

 Tuticorin is getting a lot of investor attention lately from green hydrogen and EV players. Is Tidco looking at developing other pockets in south TN?

Tuticorin has been a destination of major industries in the past as well. Heavy Water Plant, SPIC, TANFAC, DCW, Yokohama, India Cements have been there for a long time. Non-renewable and renewable energy plants were also aplenty in the region. The recent focus is meant to scale it up. The state govt has always been focussed on uniform industrial growth across the state. SIPCOT has been developing a large number of parks in this region such as the Furniture Park, Space Industrial Park, and expansion of Gangaikondan Industrial Park.

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