Once famous as the Manchester of the South, Coimbatore's ranking as the eighth best city for business is a little surprising. But then again Coimbatore has always been one of the richest cities of India thanks to its thriving farming and textile industry. And today, if it configures on the business map of India, then it is largely due to the single-minded focus of the city's entrepreneurs on their businesses.

The city is best for its infrastructure, which can be compared to that of Chennai. The city's teledensity per 1000 is relatively high at 150 and there is no load shedding. Cost of living is relatively low, pollution levels are low as well and the city is cleaner than most budding Indian cities. Public transport is efficient and educational facilities are among the best in India.

Coimbatore's focus on software (the state government has been encouraging the city as well) will definitely pose as a huge competition to Bangalore and Chennai. In fact, it is poised for 200 per cent growth in software exports. The passing out of around 7000 engineers every year makes for easy access of manpower for software industries. Besides the presence of the large number of educational and research institutions has attracted multinationals to set up their developmental centres in the city.

After software, it is the auto-components industry that will boost the city's growth. It is as well to say that Coimbatore is also all set to become the second Detroit of South India (Chennai being first). The city accounts for the manufacture of 40 per cent of the auto components of Maruti Suzuki, TVS-Suzuki, Ambassador and Fiat. Most of the auto-components industries in the city are adopting total quality management and productive maintenance which is making it easier for automobile companies in Chennai to access alternative suppliers in Coimbatore. Biotechnology and retail are two other industries in the city that are warming up.

But despite all the plus points, law and order, healthcare facilities and transportation need to improve if Coimbatore wants to better its ranking.

Source: Business Today