Brandix India Apparel City (BIAC) at Atchyutapuram in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, awarded the SEZ status, will start commercial production by the second quarter of 2008-09 financial year, according to Reshan Wickramasinha, CEO, Brandix India Apparel City.
At a press meet, Wickramasinha said: “Brandix had set up a temporary facility in the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ) at Duvvada and started export of garments during the current year itself, but the main apparel park – one of the largest in the world – will be ready by next year. It will create over 60,000 jobs at the end.”
He said that at present over 800 women are working in the temporary facility and garments worth $1.5 million had been exported to the developed markets. Investment in the Brandix apparel city will be to the order of $1 billion and is expected to generate garment exports worth $1.2 billion.
Vinu Sudan, director of Brandix India, said the infrastructure in the park would be ready by February and by the end of the year, 3,000 jobs would be generated. “The state government has allotted 1,000 acres on lease to our company and approximately 28 large units will come up in the city. Already, six companies have agreed to set up units and they have been allotted plots. Three of them have started work. Several other major companies have evinced interest,” Sudan said.
Based on the ‘fibre to store’ concept, the city will be a fully integrated one-stop shop with capabilities in spinning, fabric, and accessory and apparel manufacturing, complete with onsite customs and recreational facilities.
Brandix Apparel India, the Indian manufacturing arm of Brandix, Sri Lanka, commenced commercial production early this year, at a temporary location in Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ) premises. It has since increased its local workforce, and today has a combined strength of 822 associates, with apparel being exported even to top customers such as Victoria’s Secret and Hanes.
– Bengaluru Bureau
