The Government of Andhra Pradesh will go in for a major industrialisation drive with the twin objectives of rapid economic growth and creating significant employment potential. A major programme in this direction with close coordination of top investors, industrialists, Government of India, CII, FICCI and other private players is on the anvil. The new industrial policy will also be revamped to suit this objective and drive of the State Government, the Chief Minister Sri K. Rosaiah said today.

The Chief Minister, after returning from Tirupati today afternoon, discussed with the officials about the Brandix India Apparel City (BIAC) at Atchutapuram, Visakhapatnam. The Chief Minister is likely to inaugurate the BIAC apparel park on 5.2.2010 and also lay foundation stone for the Coastal Ferro Alloy Unit in A.P.Special Economic Zone at Atchuthapuram, Visakhapatnam. Mr Rosaiah was sure that the Brandix Project would be a boon to the Cotton and Textile industry as a whole and Visakhapatnam in particular.

The Chief Minister was told that the BIAC is a 1000-acre integrated textile and apparel park with all financial and other benefits associated with the SEZ at Atchutapuram, about 50 km south of Visakhapatnam. The BIAC is a major initiative of the State Government to bring large scale employment opportunities to the rural people, mostly women, in the nascent, but strategically important 'apparel' exports segment leveraging the resources in Andhra Pradesh like availability of raw cotton, abundant water from Godavari river, power availability and access to the container port. The Government of India extended financial support through its Scheme of Integrated Textile Parks (SITP).

The Chief Minister was explained that Brandix Lanka, which is Sri Lanka's largest integrated apparel exporter conceived the BIAC and manages it. Other global apparel supply-chain partners supporting this venture are Brandot from US, Pioneer Elastics from Hong Kong, CMT from Mauritius and Quantum Clothing from UK. Brandix Lanka, a leading player in the apparel trade, employs over 25,000 associates in over 27 manufacturing facilities within Sri Lanka and has strategically located international sourcing offices. With exports exceeding US $ 360 million, Brandix continues its relentless pursuit "to be the inspiring solution for branded clothing", and its presence in India is a testimony to that vision.

Mr Rosaish was told that Brandix's business model encompasses vertical integration and specialisation in key product categories in both 'woven and knit' apparel. The backward integration of both 'woven and knit fabrics' complements its production specialisation along with further investments into 'trims and washing', thus enabling Brandix to provide a one stop solution to its global branded clothing retail clientele. BIAC at Atchutapuram is based on the Fibre to Store concept, under-pinned by scale advantages and strong apparel business fundamentals to leverage global expertise offering total solutions within its 1,000 acre park - a first of its kind in South Asia and perhaps in the world, spearheading its vision to be the "Preferred Global Sourcing Hub for Apparel". To achieve its vision, BIAC has created a vertically integrated apparel value chain, ready to support large scale spinning, knitting, garmenting, finishing, printing embellishments and packaging. To shore up its smooth operation, centralised infrastructure along with common services and facilities are provided at the Park.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has set up a 220 K.V substation with two feeders from three separate grid sources to ensure reliable power supply; 60 MLD (million litres per day) of water supply through a 26-km long 1000 mm diameter pipeline from pumping stations at Paravada tapped to the Yeleru canal supplying Godavari river water to Vizag; 4000 ML capacity summer reservoir of which 2000 ML reservoir nearing completion and 4-lane road network from Atchutapuram Junction to BIAC besides plans for balance expansion of 9 km road connection to NH-5.

Units within BIAC are Brandix Apparel India, a US$ 10 million investment apparel manufacturing facility, which commenced exports in July 08 of intimate garments to the US and European Union. Currently, on a two shift basis, the factory provides employment to around 4,000 persons, predominantly women from neighboring villages.

Ocean India is a knit-textile mill with technology from the global fabric giant, Fountain Set Holdings of Hong Kong, Phase-I has investment of US$ 20 million to produce 15 TPD of knit fabrics, covering knitting, dyeing, and finishing operations. Fabric printing facilities are on stream. Currently the textile mill provides employment to around 400, which will increase to 550.

Pioneer Elastic India initiated by a Hong Kong-based global specialist manufacturer of woven and crochet elastic has already set up its interim manufacturing facility, and commercial production will shortly commence. Once operational fully, it has over 300 job opportunities. Meanwhile, expansion plans are afoot for their new proposed factory on a plot already acquired by them.

Quantum Clothing India set up by its UK parent commenced construction of its apparel factory, which when operational will manufacture garments such as T-shirts and intimate garments. Factory construction is progressing rapidly on a 11.5 acre plot and would provide employment to over 1000 persons.

DEB Fashion India has set up its manufacturing facility for natural-horn buttons with Italian collaboration and commercial operations would start shortly. At full capacity, the factory will generate employment opportunities for around 300 persons.

The Chief Minister Sri K.Rosaiah has directed the Principal Secretary, Industries Mr.Sam Bob to fully concentrate on the process of industrialisation by convening the investors' meets periodically.