The Andhra Pradesh government has invited Kochi-based Kitex Garments to establish a 2,000-acre textile and apparel park in the state, according to Kitex Managing Director Sabu M. Jacob.
A high-level delegation headed by Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT and Human Resources Development Nara Lokesh visited Kitex Garments’ facility in Kizhakkambalam, Kerala, where preliminary discussions were held on the proposed project.
The planned park will cover around 2,000 acres and is expected to receive financial assistance from the Central Government. The overall investment requirement is estimated at more than Rs 50,000 crore.
Jacob stated that Kitex would take the lead in designing the park’s layout and development structure, while also assisting the state in attracting investments from global investors.
The company currently operates manufacturing facilities in Warangal and Hyderabad in Telangana, and the performance of these units has influenced Andhra Pradesh’s decision to seek Kitex’s involvement in the proposed project.
According to Jacob, Andhra Pradesh is among India’s major cotton-producing states but has limited processing and value-addition infrastructure. A considerable share of the cotton produced in the state is therefore transported to other states for processing and manufacturing.
The proposed textile and apparel park is intended to increase processing and value addition within Andhra Pradesh, allowing a larger share of the state’s cotton production to be converted into higher-value textile and apparel products locally.
The project is expected to create additional economic opportunities for cotton farmers and other participants across the textile value chain.
Jacob also said Kitex is expanding its operations in Telangana, including a proposed factory that, once completed, is expected to become the world’s longest factory building.
Following the meeting, Lokesh said on social media that he had a “good discussion” with Jacob covering the textile and apparel sector, manufacturing opportunities and Andhra Pradesh’s expanding industrial ecosystem.
He said he had invited Kitex to examine investment opportunities in the state and work with Andhra Pradesh as part of its industrial growth plans.
