CII to organise "SPEED 2006"

Chennai, Nov 1 (UNI) To highlight the investment potential and business opportunities in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region will organise a three-day exhibition and two-day conference called "SPEED" (Southern Prosperity through Enhanced Economic Development) from December 1 to 3 in Madurai.

Addressing a press conference here today, CII Southern Region Chairman M Lakshminarayan said the vast "investment freindly" opportunities of the southern districts mainly Madurai, Tuticorin, Sivaganga, Virudhanagar, Sivakasi, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari remained untapped and the SPEED would provide a platform for these districts to project it as perfect destination for investments.

He said the CII's task force set up to promote industrialisation of southern districts had commissioned a study titled "Industrialisation of Southern Districts-The Unexplored Opportunity".

SPEED 2006 Chairman and Thiagarajar Mills Managing Director T Kannan said the development and establishment of more industries would generate 80,000 employment opportunities over a span of three to four years.

The emigration of the skilled labour, particularly the youth of these districts to other major hubs like Chennai and Banglore could be restricted if more investments were made in the region, he said.

By establishing more road, air and sea connectivity, the southern districts can match any other major industrial hub.

The CII would work in tandem with government for overall infrastructural development of these districts, he added.

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