Date:22/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/22/stories/2007092250712100.htm

Back Call to promote industries in Madurai

Our Correspondent

Madurai, Sept 21 While Madurai has the potential, lack of local initiative is hindering the process of growth. Industry associations and non-resident Indians from the region should join together to pool the resources and create the common infrastructure for industries to flourish. Attracting a mother industry to the region is vital to bring about a change, according to Mr K. Pandia Rajan, Managing Director and CEO, Ma Foi Management Consultants Ltd, Chennai.

The establishment of PSG STEP in Coimbatore in 1998 has facilitated the promotion of technology-based enterprises in software, electronic products and biotechnology. This has helped to attract major players to choose Coimbatore while spreading to tier I and tier II cities in the state. He said an effort was required for Madurai, while addressing a press meet here on Tuesday.

He said engineering colleges in the region now produced more professionals, but lack of soft skills was curtailing their employability. According to a survey conducted by Ma Fai, at least 10.3 lakh jobs would be created in 13 organised sectors in the country in 2007. In Tamil Nadu 1.3 lakh jobs in the organised sector would be coming up. Consumer retail and gas and oil sectors along with IT and ITES are the leading employers, he said.

Mr.K.Pandia Rajan was speaking after inaugurating the career training centre of Ma Foi Academy, the training division of Ma Foi Consultants in the city.