CII and TVS Mobility Centre of Excellence to Scale up 1,000 Micro Entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu

PuthiyaPayanam: ValarchiyaiNoki” Project to Kickstart in 9 Districts Across Tamil Nadu

“I am proud to highlight that Tamil Nadu has emerged as a powerhouse for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). With nearly 5 million MSMEs, Tamil Nadu accounts for 15% of India’s entire MSME sector, employing around 14 million people. Remarkably, 99% of these enterprises are micro-enterprises, underscoring the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our state’s economy. Moreover, Tamil Nadu leads the nation in women-owned MSMEs, with over 10 lakh units run by women entrepreneurs. This impressive growth in MSMEs is a testament to the Dravidian model of governance, which prioritizes education, skill development, and support for entrepreneurs, ensuring that our people are well-equipped to compete on a global stage,” said Dr T. R. B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, at the launch of the CII Centre of Excellence on Employment & Livelihood in Chennai today.

“As we launch this new CII project aimed at supporting micro-enterprises, I want to emphasize the government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and job creation. The MSME sector alone contributes to 30% of the state’s industrial output and 45% of our exports. Our government is fully dedicated to supporting MSMEs with initiatives that provide market linkages, digitalization, and continuous upskilling. We are ready and willing to support all micro-enterprises as they embark on this new journey, ensuring that Tamil Nadu remains a leader in innovation and economic growth,” Dr Rajaa added.

Ms Archana Patnaik, IAS, Secretary – Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of Tamil Nadu, highlighted that “Microenterprises are the backbone of the Indian economy, especially in terms of employment generation. The Udyam Platform data shows that there are 27 lakh MSMEs registered in Tamil Nadu, and 98% of these are micro enterprises. It is important to understand this distinction since the needs of microenterprises differ from those of small and medium enterprises.”

Mr R. Dinesh, Immediate Past President, CII & Chairman, CII Centre of Excellence on Employment and Livelihood  stated, “The first-ever intervention of the Centre of Excellence on Employment & Livelihood is starting in Tamil Nadu, thanks to the support of key departments in the state, such as EDII TN, TN Rise, and Startup TN. Progressive initiatives by both the Government and the Industry have fostered an enabling environment for MSMEs. However, the needs of microenterprises differ from those of small and medium enterprises. Today, with the support of TVS Mobility, we are launching the ‘PuthiyaPayanam: ValarchiyaiNoki’ project to support 1,000 micro-entrepreneurs from nine districts across Tamil Nadu, making a positive impact in the state.”

To start with, Micro Entrepreneurs from nine districts in Tamil Nadu starting with Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Karur, Trichy, Madurai, Tuticorin and Salemwill be supported.

Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, commented, “We have 12 Centres of Excellence across the country focused on building the competitiveness of India Inc. This Centre in Madurai, launched in February 2024 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, plays a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises and making them employment generators.”

Dr R. Nandini, Chairperson, CII Southern Region & Managing Director, Chandra Textiles, added, “Tamil Nadu stands as a beacon of resourcefulness and skilled labor, making it one of India’s premier investment destinations. The state’s leadership across various sectors underscores its industrial prowess. The micro-entrepreneurs, who account for 97.8% of Tamil Nadu’s MSME sector, are the lifeblood of the state’s thriving economy.”

Mr Srivats Ram, Chairman, CII – Tamil Nadu State Council & Managing Director, Wheels India Limited, emphasized, “Supporting micro enterprises in scaling up is crucial as we move towards Viksit Bharat and our state’s goal of becoming a $1 Trillion Economy. This will enhance livelihoods and generate more employment, driving the development of both the state and the country.”

The launch also featured a panel discussion on ‘The Micro Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Tamil Nadu: The Way Forward,’ with participation from Mr Sivarajah Ramanathan, Mission Director & CEO, Startup TN; Mr R Ambalavanan IA & AS, Director, Entrepreneurship Development & Innovation Institute, Government of Tamil Nadu; Mr A R Unnikrishnan, Vice Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu & Managing Director, Saint Gobain India; Mr Shankar Vanavarayar, Executive Director, ABT Industries Ltd; Mr N K Ranganathan, Director, Cognizant Foundation and Ms Subhasri Sriram, Joint Managing Director, Shriram Capital Pvt Ltd sharing insights and strategies for supporting micro entrepreneurs in the state