The State Industries Department has given approval for setting up Rs11 crore apparel park at Angamaly which is expected to boost business at the Garments Cluster by upto 300 percent. According to the project report, 10 percent of the cost will be borne by the Mahila Apparels Garments Cluster, while the State Government will bear the remaining cost.

Gracy Thomas, managing director of the Angamaly-based Mahila Apparels Garments Cluster said that the 40,000-sqft facility will be a design factory with advanced facilities. It will also have a training institute, besides business space for individual units with 50 to 75 workers.

Currently, 73 units are functioning at the Garments Cluster, generating around Rs 1.25 crore turnover annually. Each unit has an average worker strength of 10-15.

Once the apparel park starts functioning, production is expected to go up to 500 pieces per day from the current 200.

Textile business in an around Angamaly got a big drive ever since the Garments Cluster was launched in 2007, with members sourcing raw materials from North India and supplying to the garment units at low prices. The Garments Cluster has been exporting men’s apparels directly to Oman.