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R.Y. Narayanan

Coimbatore , Oct. 22

THE announcement of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, to showcase Coimbatore as an international centre for holding exhibitions and conventions and as a gateway to tourist destinations has been welcomed by the industry here.

It also wants the Chief Minister to implement in Coimbatore an infrastructure development project similar to Chennai so that the city is given a facelift.

Responding to the Chief Minister's observations at the Skal World Congress in Chennai on Monday regarding promoting Coimbatore as a Centre for international conventions and exhibitions, Mr A. Sakthivel, President, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Coimbatore, said the region played a pivotal role in economic activity in the State as it was home to a wide range of industries such as textiles, hosiery, foundries and auto components.

Once the city was promoted as a destination for international meetings and conventions, it would facilitate greater interaction between local entrepreneurs and international buyers giving a further boost to industrial activity in the region. As Coimbatore had already established itself in international markets and as a brand the city was well recognised, he felt that promoting it as a place for organising exhibitions on international scale would draw ready response.

He said a major infrastructure bottleneck facing the region was the inability of the Coimbatore airport to receive larger aircrafts because of the short runway. This has come in the way of international airlines operating direct flights to Coimbatore.

Since the city was a gateway to other major industrial centres such as Karur and Tirupur, there was an urgent need to upgrade the airport here.Mr Sakthivel, who is also the President of Tirupur Exporters' Association (TEA), said the State Government should consider, on the lines of the master plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA), a master plan for Coimbatore to improve the infrastructure facilities.

He said the ICCI was in the process of preparing a memorandum on the infrastructure needs of the Kongu region, which would be submitted to the Chief Minister.

Pointing out the closer links between Coimbatore and the port cities of Kochi, Tuticorin and Chennai for moving the export cargo, he said broadening of roads and creation of Expressways should be taken up to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Referring to the proposal for establishing an IT park in Coimbatore, he felt that it would provide a thrust to attract more IT-related investments. He wanted the setting up of the powerloom park immediately.

On the tourism front, Mr Sakthivel suggested that a helicopter service may be operated to ferry tourists in the region. There were places of interest close to Coimbatore such as Udhagamandalam, Kodaikanal, Yercaud and Anamalai hills and religious places such as Perur, Marudamalai and Avinashi. These should be highlighted to attract tourist flow. The twinning concept proposed also would help in attracting more tourists.

The ICCI President was confident that the investment in infrastructure development projects would give a boost to the economy in the region and once they were completed, Coimbatore would emerge as a coveted destination for both business and leisure travellers.

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