TN pushes for ‘product nation’

Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa has called for India to transition from a service-based IT economy to a “product nation.” He also urged for greater investment in research and development (R&D) and advocated stronger safety nets for researchers.

Listen to this article

Addressing the GCC Next Summit 2025 in Chennai, Rajaa said the state would deepen its role in the Global Capability Centre (GCC) sector, expand AI capabilities and continue inclusive economic policies. “We have been the manufacturing capital for years. Now, it’s time to create products for the world,” he said.

Tamil Nadu is the only state with a dedicated GCC policy, formulated in 2021. New hubs are being developed beyond Chennai in Coimbatore, Madurai, Hosur, Trichy and Kanyakumari.

On AI (artificial intelligence), Rajaa said that the government had registered Chenn.ai and was positioning the city as an R&D hub for India and South Asia. AI education has been introduced in government schools from Class 6 to 9 through partnerships with Google and Microsoft, covering two million students.

He said that over 40 per cent of women in the country’s organised workforce was from the state. The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme provided Rs 1,000 monthly to eligible women as a right, he added.

Guidance Tamil Nadu has launched a “GCC One Desk” for single-window clearances, with offices in Chennai and overseas locations including Silicon Valley, Germany, Japan and Vietnam.

Rajaa said that Tamil Nadu would balance manufacturing and services while building leadership in R&D. “Research takes years. We must give our innovators the security to create,” he said.

 

Latest

US grants 30-day waiver to India to buy Russian Oil: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

To enable oil to keep flowing into the global...

West Asia Conflict: A look at potential sectoral impact

Energy: A majority of energy is transported through the Strait...

Somany Ceramics says supplier restricts gas supply, amid Middle East conflict

Accordingly, SGL has informed that the Daily Contracted Quantity...

GAIL mulls supply cuts on customers, amid Force Majeure notices

GAIL said its long-term suppliers, Petronet LNG Ltd, has...

Newsletter

Don't miss

US grants 30-day waiver to India to buy Russian Oil: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

To enable oil to keep flowing into the global...

West Asia Conflict: A look at potential sectoral impact

Energy: A majority of energy is transported through the Strait...

Somany Ceramics says supplier restricts gas supply, amid Middle East conflict

Accordingly, SGL has informed that the Daily Contracted Quantity...

GAIL mulls supply cuts on customers, amid Force Majeure notices

GAIL said its long-term suppliers, Petronet LNG Ltd, has...

US Trade court orders tariff refunds: report

"All importers of record whose entries were subject to...

US grants 30-day waiver to India to buy Russian Oil: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to...

West Asia Conflict: A look at potential sectoral impact

Energy: A majority of energy is transported through the Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran and the vital artery for global energy trade,...

Somany Ceramics says supplier restricts gas supply, amid Middle East conflict

Accordingly, SGL has informed that the Daily Contracted Quantity of gas supply shall be provisionally restricted to 50 per cent of the contracted quantity...