If the proposed investment in Andhra Pradesh materialises, it would mark Kitex’s second major expansion outside Kerala, following its shift to Telangana amid earlier differences with the Kerala government.
Published Jun 09, 2025 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 09, 2025 | 11:00 AM
A delegation from the Andhra Pradesh government, led by Handlooms and Textiles Minister S Savitha, visited the headquarters of Kitex Garments.
Synopsis: The Andhra Pradesh government’s invitation to Kerala-based Kitex Group to invest in the state has reignited tensions between the company’s chairman and Kerala industries minister.
Andhra Pradesh government inviting Kerala-based Kitex Group to invest in the state has reignited tensions between the company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Sabu M Jacob, and Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev.
Sabu reiterated that Kitex pulled out of its ₹3,500 crore investment in Kerala due to constant harassment by the LDF government and instead moved to Telangana.
On Saturday, 7 June, a delegation from the Andhra Pradesh government, led by Handlooms and Textiles Minister S Savitha, visited the headquarters of Kitex Garments at Kizhakkambalam near Kochi, extending an invitation to the company to invest in the state’s textile sector.
Reacting strongly, Rajeev said Kerala is now attracting major investments, citing HCL Technologies’ upcoming second unit, and added that those claiming the state is anti-industry must answer to Kerala’s youth.
He also took a jibe at Sabu, saying one must decide whether they want peace of mind.
Sabu responded that he doesn’t seek peace through political favour, stressing that despite multiple inspections, no violations were found at Kitex. He accused the government, especially CPI(M) MLA PV Sreenijin, of political vendetta.
Addressing the media after the visit, Savitha said she had come on the instructions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to personally invite Kitex to be a key player in Andhra Pradesh’s textile industry.
“With our strong infrastructure, integrated apparel clusters, ample land, labour, cotton availability, and excellent connectivity, Andhra Pradesh is poised for major growth in the sector. We want reputed firms like Kitex to be part of this journey,” she said.
If the proposed investment in Andhra Pradesh materialises, it would mark Kitex’s second major expansion outside Kerala, following its shift to Telangana amid earlier differences with the Kerala government.
The Kizhakkambalam unit currently employs around 9,000 workers, down from 11,000 in its peak years, and produces 11 lakh units daily. Further discussions, including a direct meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu, are expected to finalise investment plans, Savitha added.
Kitex Group, led by Sabu, has already made significant strides in Telangana, where it has invested ₹3,600 crore in two facilities — near Hyderabad and Warangal — which are set to be fully operational later this year.
Kitex is aiming to produce 22 lakh garments daily and targeting ₹5,000 crore in revenue. For the fiscal year 2024-25, Kitex reported ₹1,001 crore in revenue, up from ₹631 crore the previous year.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman and Dileep V Kumar.)
