Garment industry in Manipur helps in creating employment

Northeast is a prime destination for industries, offering huge untapped potential. The textile sector, especially, can make the region a garment export hub by utilising its enormous resources.

A garment factory was recently set up in Manipur, which has created lots of jobs for the locals.

A company called 'Manipur Creations' with its base in Tamil Nadu built its first factory in Imphal last year.

'Manipur Creations' was established in Tirupur in 2013. It is now laying emphasis on utilising the resources of Manipur.

Started under the 'Make in Manipur' initiative, the garment manufacturing unit at Takyel Industrial Estate in Imphal is engaged in several phases of the manufacturing operation, from processing yarn to producing finished garments.

It has till now provided direct employment to about 80 youth and another 145 workers indirectly in sectors including marketing and sales.

"In Manipur, we have enormous workforce so much unemployed people both educated as well as uneducated. So, I started thinking why I should not use these resources. When we come into our market in Manipur, I focus in all the districts because if I give an opportunity to the people who live in Imphal then I should give the same opportunity to the people who live in Thoubal district as well in Moirang district. Because of this what I have done is the first spreading out of my market was one single showroom to all the districts," said Vasunrak Koijam, Proprietor and Chairman of Manipur Creations.

The company, with an annual turnover of Rs. four crore, has made use of 'Make in India' and 'Start up India' campaigns, and Koijam now aims to make Manipur a garment export hub.

Manipur Creations has already set up six exclusive showrooms across Manipur. It has major expansion plans in the northeast as well as the rest of the country.

In 2015, the company represented the Ministry of Small and Micro Enterprises Development Institute (MSME DI) at the Global Exhibition in New Delhi.

"From home itself I know weaving and by joining here, I have implemented my experienced as well as learned new designs which I always wanted to learn," said Linthoingambi, a staff.

"I know my boss since a very long time. We have worked together earlier. I don't feel alienated after coming and working here. Rather, I feel very comfortable. This feels like a home," added another staff from West Bengal.