Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated an industrial conference in Thoothukudi on August 4, 2025, where investment agreements worth ₹32,554 crore were signed.
A total of 41 companies signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the state government, promising to generate employment for 49,845 people across the southern districts.
As part of the event, five major projects worth ₹2,530 crore were launched, which alone are expected to create over 3,600 jobs.
One of the key highlights of the day was the inauguration of a ₹16,000 crore electric vehicle manufacturing unit by Vietnam-based company VinFast. Located in the SIPCOT industrial park at Chillanatham in Thoothukudi district, the plant aims to produce 50,000 electric vehicles annually. Stalin flagged off the company’s first vehicle from the facility.
Speaking at the event, Stalin said Tamil Nadu is proud to be the electric vehicle manufacturing capital of India, contributing nearly 40% of the country’s EV production. He appreciated VinFast for launching operations within just 17 months of signing an MoU with the government.
The industrial conference is part of the Tamil Nadu government’s efforts to attract more industries to the southern parts of the state and create balanced regional development.
In addition to VinFast, several other companies from sectors such as renewable energy, textiles, logistics, and food processing have committed to setting up or expanding operations in districts like Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, and Virudhunagar. The government highlighted that these investments would boost local economies and support the growth of small and medium enterprises in the region.
Officials from the Tamil Nadu Industries Department said that follow-up mechanisms are in place to ensure timely implementation of the signed MoUs. The state government is also offering various incentives, including land support, single-window clearances, and skilled manpower training, to encourage industries to set up units in southern Tamil Nadu.