The program which is expected to benefit 1,500 single offset and screen printers in the district was conceptualised by KRIPA to keep pace with the latest technology and help the small printers to avail of it at the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Krishnagiri Print.

"The SPV has a membership of 36 micro enterprises and is registered as a private limited entity with an authorised capital of Rs 1.5 crore,"  said K Raghavenderan, managing director of the SPV.

"We would be investing 10% of the total cost of the project and the balance amount would be funded by the Micro and Small Enterprises-Cluster Development Programme of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) of the Centre" Raghavenderan added.

The proposed print cluster is expected to safeguard the livelihoods of more than 10000 employees dependent on these units.

"The competitive advantage that can be garnered by this cluster project is immense considering the growth and size of our competing markets in Sivakasi, Virudhunagar etc." explained Raghavenderan.

The project inception took place with ample support from the District Industries Centre, Department of Printing Technology, Anna University, Institute of Printing Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu Master Printers’ Federation and Master Printers’ and Lithographers’ Association.

"The MSME steering committee in the last meeting approved of our proposal and we are expecting final committee clearance by the month of March" said Raghavenderan.