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Fair Complex, 12 kms from the city. The Knitwear Fashion Institute,

established in collaboration between TEA and the National Institute of

Fashion Technology, also helps address human power and skill development
(The Town of Export Excellence).

Thesis Report V-SPARC VIT
1.2. Platforms for Global Trade

Although several infrastructural improvements have been made over

the years to support the global export trade of Tiruppur, the city still lacks
exhibition and convention infrastructures that shall further aid trade by

welcoming international guests to the city. Currently, there are 2 convention

centres in the city and 3 exhibition centres, as seen in Figure 1. Velan Hall, a

hotel chain, uses its marriage hall as a convention centre from time to time.
It’s location within the city makes it widely accessible. Similarly, the Rajappan

Leela Convention Hall, is a more recently built marriage hall used to conduct

small scale conventions.

Of the 3 exhibition centres, the one set up by the TEA in 1995 known

as the India Knit Fair Complex remains the only built structure available to
host trade exhibitions. It was set up to exhibit products pertinent to the textile

and garment industry. Located in the outskirts of Tiruppur, the two-floor

structure is limited in scale and doesn’t have scope for expansion for current
needs. In a recent textile sourcing fair conducted, as seen in Figure 2, one can

see that the volume of built space is insufficient. Open spaces and set back

areas have been set up with temporary sheds to accommodate the actual needs

for the exhibition.

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