TOWNS OF EXCELLENCE

          Industrial clusters are given recognition as 'Towns of Excellence' is order to maximize their export potential. In August 2006, 11 towns as the country have emerged as dynamic industrial clusters contributing significantly to India's exports. They were given the status of 'Towns of Excellence' These 11 towns include :

• Tirupur, Tamil Nadu for hosiery.
• Karur, Tamil Nadu - Handlooms
• Madurai, Tamil Nadu - Handlooms
• Ludhina, Punjab - Woolen knitwear
• Panipat, Haryana - Woolen blankets
• Kanoor, Kerala - Handlooms
• Alleppey, Kerala - Coir products
• Aroor, Ezhupunna, Kodanthuruthu, & Kuthiathodu, (AEKK), Kerala - Seafood
• Kekhra, UP - Handlooms
• Dewas, MP - Phamaceuticals
• Jodhpur, Rajasthan - Handicrafts.

              In the FTP 2004-09, the Government of India announced the threshold limit of designed 'Towns of Export Excellence'. The limit has been reduced from Rs.1000 crores to Rs. 250 crore for the thrust sectors such as agriculture, handlooms, handicrafts, gems and jewellery, leather goods, and marine products.

              The Towns of Excellence get the benefits of ASIDE scheme for developing infrastructure in the industrial clusters. The units in the Towns of Excellence also get the facility of common service and EPCG scheme. They also get the benefit of MAI scheme for creating focused technological services.
              In the FTP 2009-14, about 7 Towns of Export Excellence are announced by the Govt :

• Jaipur, Srinagar and Anantnag for handicrafts.
• Kanpur, Dewas and Ambur for leather products.
• Malihabad for horticultural products.