Tamil Nadu Minister E.V. Velu Seeks Experts’ Support to Achieve a $1 Trillion Economy

Chennai:

Port Wings News Network:

Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works, Highways, and Minor Ports, E.V. Velu on 18 September 2025 urged all experts and participants to share their experienced insights to enhance the role of the “Blue Economy” in achieving the Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s vision of elevating Tamil Nadu’s economy to $1 Trillion mark. He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Blue Economy Summit 2025 in Chennai.

The Minister began his speech by stating that it would be more appropriate to call this event a “Blue Economy Seminar” rather than a summit.

Velu stated: “Tamil Nadu’s coastline, unlike those of other states, is a peninsular region encompassing the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. It is strategically located near international shipping routes and close to Sri Lanka, a friendly neighboring country. Tamil Nadu’s coastline, spanning 14 coastal districts, is utilized by diverse stakeholders, including fishermen dependent on the sea for their livelihood, fishing harbors, aquaculture farms, commercial ports under central and state government control, recreational beaches, ecologically sensitive areas such as mangrove forests, turtle nesting sites, coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar, bird sanctuaries, historically significant temples (Thiruchendur, Rameswaram), churches (Velankanni, Manapad), Islamic places of worship (Nagore), coastal industrial parks, and lighthouses.”

The Minister emphasized Tamil Nadu’s rich maritime history, noting that ancient Tamil rulers engaged in overseas trade and established powerful naval fleets, conquering regions as far as Sumatra and Java in Southeast Asia. “Evidence exists of advanced shipbuilding techniques in ancient Tamil Nadu, with its ports facilitating trade with Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, Rome, and Greece,” added the Minister.

Globally, approximately 80% of trade occurs via maritime routes, and in India, with its 11,000 km coastline, about 95% of trade is seaborne.

Velu stated: “To achieve Tamil Nadu’s goal of $1 Trillion economy, promoting maritime trade is a paramount duty. This requires advancements in commercial and fishing ports, coastal tourism, shipbuilding, and repair industries. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, leading the Dravidian Model government, is designing various schemes to achieve this economic target. While India’s overall GDP growth for 2024-25 is projected at 6-7%, Tamil Nadu has achieved a double-digit growth rate of 11.2%, making it the top-performing state in India. Key factors include infrastructure development, human resource enhancement, a high concentration of automobile manufacturing (earning Tamil Nadu the title of India’s Detroit), textile industries, electronics manufacturing, and a business-friendly environment.”

Velu stated: “Maritime cargo transport is significantly cheaper than road or rail and is environmentally friendly. Tamil Nadu’s road networks, such as the Chennai-Kanyakumari and East Coast Road, provide seamless connectivity to commercial and fishing ports. Adequate rail connectivity to coastal areas further supports this.” The Minister urged port developers and entrepreneurs to establish and expand port-related businesses.

He expressed hope that the seminar would foster constructive discussions on elevating Tamil Nadu’s blue economy. He extended his best wishes to the experts, distinguished speakers, and participants, including port developers, shipbuilding and repair professionals, fisheries and tourism experts, for sharing their valuable insights.

The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Chairman of Chennai and Kamarajar Ports; Dr. R. Selvaraj, IAS, Secretary of the Highways and Minor Ports Department; T.N. Venkatesh, IAS, Principal Secretary/Deputy Chairman and CEO of the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board; Mr. C. Devarajan, Vice President of the Tamil Nadu Chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry; along with port developers, administrators, users, coastal tourism operators, fisheries and aquaculture experts, shipbuilding and repair professionals, maritime board officials, and other stakeholders.

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