• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

Our Bureau

COIMBATORE, Oct. 4

ITALY'S Treviso textile cluster is looking at investing in the Tirupur knitwear sector, a move that will enable it to beat the high cost of production at home.

If the business-to-business co-operation that the Italian cluster is seeking with the Tirupur producers becomes a reality, it could lead to updates in technology and marketing for the Tirupur industries from the Treviso-based textile and clothing companies.

A delegation from the Treviso cluster, headed by Mr Romeo Profili and including officials of the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry now visiting Tirupur, is scouting for stakeholders in Tirupur industries who would be interested in working with them.

While the Treviso manufacturers are exploring the possibility of joint ventures with Tirupur units, the Italian companies would start off this business co-operation by training manpower from the Tirupur industry at Treviso.

"The Treviso cluster is thinking of relocating its manufacture in view of the high production cost in Italy and the very high levels of competition in the market. Tirupur's potential as an established supplier of knitwear in the global market does require quality upgradation which is possible through business co-operation with Treviso companies," said Mr Profili.

Talking to presspersons, Mr Profili said the cluster was looking at investments in India in garmenting and yarn processing. Right now, the primary focus would be on offering training of human resources in the area of technology as this would become the "points of reference" to encourage Treviso companies to invest in Tirupur, he added.

Any possible investment in Tirupur by the Treviso companies would be to serve both the Indian market as well as to export to other countries. They industries would be prepared to extend support in technology and training in human resources through their textile institute, Istituto Enrico Fermi, which could interact with Tirupur-based TEA-NIFT Institute.

Mr Anrea Bonardi and Dr Sauro Mezzetti, the officials from the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industries, pointed out that while the individual companies from Treviso would be acting through the Treviso Industries Association/Chamber of Commerce on matters of investment in India, they would still want such investments to be supported by an institutional framework in India.

The Italian delegation said the Treviso team would attempt a feasibility report on possible investment, which could be launched by January.

Based on the success of the co-operative project with Tirupur cluster, Treviso could also explore the scope for similar ventures with Ludhiana-based woollen knitwear units.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail
Comment on this article to BLFeedback@thehindu.co.in

Stories in this Section
Cement units want Rlys to review freight rates

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line