A lot of people are going jobless nowadays with the dying Beedi industry. This labour force can be effectively diverted to the textile sector to build up the Integrated Textile Park in Mangalore, opined Joint Director of District Industries Centre S G Hegde.

Speaking at the one-day industrial motivation and awareness on apparel park at Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Thursday, he said that there is a lot of scope for readymade garments now and any group who ventures into this market will be aptly helped by the government and various agencies.

He also said that Dakshina Kannada has the best infrastructure in Karnataka next only to Bangalore, and hence is currently the best place for such industrial ventures.

Deputy Director of Department of Textiles Shiva Kumar addressed the gathering and gave information regarding the government policies to help industries.

Mr Sanjeev Naik from Infrastructure leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) gave a presentation on the working and structure of the small-scale industrial units. Earlier, KCCI President Capt John Prasad Menezes inaugurated the programme.