26th September 2015

- The Hindu

Will Sivakasi join the "Make in India" chorus?

It’s about two years now since the V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust at Tuticorin decided to allow export of fireworks. “The export of fireworks from Sivakasi is in limbo now, though small quantities are being sent to Sri Lanka and Maldives,” says G. Abiruben, president, Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association (Tanfama).

The then Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, E. M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, mooted the setting up of a special economic zone for cracker units, exclusively for exports, in Virudhunagar district and a fireworks magazine-cum-cargo house in the vicinity of the VOC port at a meeting held in Madurai on October 18, 2013.

Mr. Natchiappan, who addressed a national conference on fireworks in Sivakasi in November 2013, also suggested a meeting of representatives of 15 countries with fireworks manufacturers through the respective embassies to facilitate exports. But the export is miniscule in the absence of clear cut guidelines on shipment from the VOC port.

The association has already made a representation to the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Nirmala Sitharaman, to open up the VOC port, the nearest to Sivakasi, for export of fireworks. “The Minister has assured to take up the issue with the Ministry of Shipping,” says Mr. Abiruben.

A leading manufacturer in Sivakasi says that they will explore the possibility of exporting consignments through the Chennai port also, from where high-end explosives are shipped now. Again, a warehouse to stock pre-shipment goods is required in proximity to Chennai as it will be difficult to transport the consignments from Sivakasi in short notice. A gateway to send samples for export should be provided at the Chennai airport for Sivakasi products.

“However, Tuticorin port is ideally located for development as hub of fireworks export,” says Mr. Abiruben, who is confident of garnering at least 10 per cent of the export market of Rs. 20000 crore, now monopolised by China. “It is possible to achieve an export target of Rs. 2000 crore by 2020 and this will mean expansion of the Sivakasi industry and three lakh more employment opportunities,” he says.

The industry, which is threatened by the invasion of Chinese crackers, looks at the export avenue for growth, in the context of the Make in India campaign. Sivakasi fireworks industry does not depend on foreign knowhow or technology to expand or come out with new products. Leading manufacturers like the Sri Kaliswari Fireworks have their own research and development facility, employing locals.

“Many countries are ready to buy Sivakasi products. India will gain global respect by exploiting the export market for fireworks,” says A. P. Selvarajan, former president, Tanfama.


“The export of fireworks from Sivakasi is in limbo”