CII Southern Region Sets Competitiveness and Growth Agenda for 2026-27
CII Southern Region will focus on competitiveness, manufacturing growth, sustainability, digital transformation, and talent development during 2026-27. Tamil Nadu is expected to remain a major contributor to Southern India’s industrial and export growth
Chennai: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region has outlined its priorities for 2026-27, with a focus on strengthening South India’s competitiveness through growth, resilience, inclusion, sustainability, and trust.
Addressing his first press conference after assuming office as Chairman of CII Southern Region for 2026-27, P. Ravichandran, President of Danfoss India and Danfoss Industries Pvt Ltd, said Southern India continues to play a significant role in India’s economy, contributing nearly 32 per cent of the country’s GDP and around 30 per cent of manufacturing gross value added (GVA).
According to him, the region recorded a combined GDP of ₹57.16 lakh crore in FY25 at constant prices and contributes nearly 40 per cent of India’s services output. Krishna Bodanapu, Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Cyient Ltd, has assumed office as Deputy Chairman of CII Southern Region for the year.
Ravichandran said CII Southern Region will work under the theme, “Accelerating South India’s Competitiveness: Growth, Resilience, Inclusion, Sustainability, Trust.” Key focus areas include manufacturing and MSME growth, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, green transition and energy security, talent development, agri value chains, infrastructure, logistics, global markets, free trade agreement utilisation, tourism, and the sports economy.
Reviewing the organisation’s activities over the previous year, he said CII Southern Region constituted 56 committees and task forces and submitted 159 representations to state governments, with 41 being accepted or partially accepted. More than 60 high-level engagements were undertaken on issues including ease of doing business, MSME development, sustainability, and workforce development.
On Tamil Nadu, Ravichandran said the state remains one of India’s leading economic contributors. Tamil Nadu recorded a real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of ₹17.32 lakh crore in FY25, the highest among Southern states. The state also reported merchandise exports worth $53.9 billion in 2025 and the highest manufacturing GVA in the region at ₹3.77 lakh crore.
He noted that Tamil Nadu’s industrial strength is driven by sectors such as automobiles and electric vehicles, electronics, textiles, information technology, defence, aerospace, and precision engineering. The state accounts for 36 per cent of India’s two-wheeler production, 25 per cent of four-wheeler production, and more than 60 per cent of EV two-wheeler production. Electronics exports from the state reached $14.65 billion during FY25.
CII has proposed measures aimed at improving Tamil Nadu’s competitiveness, including strengthening its global positioning, developing talent, promoting Tier-2 cities as employment hubs, improving power sector performance, supporting key manufacturing sectors, and accelerating approvals through the Vetri TN single-window platform.
The industry body also plans to continue engaging with the state government on issues such as regulatory approvals, environmental clearances, electricity connectivity, MSME credit access, commercial dispute resolution, and export readiness.
Ravichandran said South India has the potential to strengthen its manufacturing ecosystem through Industry 4.0 adoption, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainability initiatives, and stronger global linkages. He added that CII Southern Region would continue working with governments, industry, and institutions to support investment, exports, employment generation, and sustainable development across the region.
