In a notable effort to promote digital trade facilitation, the Tiruchi Preventive Customs Commissionerate, together with the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), has launched “Thunaivan”—an exclusive online portal that aims to simplify export procedures for Tirupur’s booming garment industry.
The platform was launched officially on Thursday in Tirupur by Mohan Kumar Singh, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) member. Designed with one of India’s largest textile hubs specifically in mind, “Thunaivan” is intended to enhance ease of doing business through the provision of a user-friendly digital interface that enables real-time communication between customs officers and exporters.
The portal is supported with fast-tracked grievance redressal mechanisms, clear issue-tracking functionalities and improved public-private interface mechanisms. It is deemed as a measure in connecting accountability, accessibility and efficiency in export activities.
SK Vimalanathan, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Tiruchi, said that the platform was created after consulting exporters in Tirupur, who complained of communication roadblocks and redressal. The system allows for direct escalation of the problem to concerned officers and permits real-time monitoring of solutions. He said that the portal would keep getting further developed based on user feedback and increasing industry demands.
CBIC member Singh emphasised that although Customs already has online grievance systems, the information pooled through “Thunaivan” could be very important for making policy decisions in the future.
AEPC Vice-Chairman A. Sakthivel highlighted the strategic value of the initiative, highlighting that Tirupur’s apparel exports have surpassed Rs. 45,000 crore a year. With a Free Trade Agreement with the UK and a bilateral trade agreement with the US pending, exporters from the region are poised to grow. He stressed the requirement to step up capacity and workforce skill development to harness opportunities that lie ahead.
The launch event was attended by K.M. Ravichandran, Principal Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Tiruchi and K.M. Subramaniam, President, Tirupur Exporters’ Association, further emphasising the collective strategy towards taking India’s garment export industry forward.
