Tamil Nadu’s MSME Ecosystem

Enabling investments and enterprise growth across the value chain

Tamil Nadu is among the few states with a dedicated facilitation framework for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), that empowers entrepreneurs from ideation to expansion. While Guidance Tamil Nadu facilitates investments above Rs. 50 crores, the MSME Department and its agencies provide targeted support for MSME investment facilitation through financial incentives, policy, infrastructure, market and finance access.

Tamil Nadu’s – A Thriving MSME Base

57+ lakh

MSMEs – 3rd largest MSME ecosystem in India

11,280

DPIIT recognized startups

130

Industrial Estates – Developed by TANSIDCO across 8,400+ acres

District Industries Centres – To provide MSME facilitation at district level

With over 57 lakhs+ Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Tamil Nadu has the 3rd largest MSME ecosystem in the country across sectors such as leather products, engineering goods, automotive goods, castings, electronics, and readymade garments.

Leverage Tamil Nadu's high quality MSME supplier base for your sourcing, localization and vendor development needs.

MSME Support Ecosystem

Tamil Nadu's MSME Department has specialized agencies that provide end to end support for MSMEs – from conceptualization, establishment, expansion and market facilitation.

Agency Name	Short Mandate	Key areas of work	Website
Commissionerate of Industries and Commerce	Schemes & District Facilitation of MSMEs.	Nodal agency for MSME schemes and incentives, such as capital subsidy, interest subvention schemes, etc. Enables district level facilitation of MSMEs, through the 38 District Industries Centres. Timely monitoring of MSME applications received through the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal.	Visit Website
Bureau for Facilitating MSMEs of Tamil Nadu (FaMeTN)	Market access and business facilitation support for MSMEs.	Supports MSMEs for access to credit, new domestic and international markets, sustainability promotion and sector specific initiatives. Facilitation of MSME investments for new and existing entrepreneurs.	Visit Website
StartupTN – Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission	Startup and innovation enablement	Focuses on developing an enabling ecosystem for startups in Tamil Nadu, including facilitating financial support to startups and incubators. Links startups to investors and sector experts to support growth.	Visit Website
Tamil Nadu Food Processing and Agri Export Promotion Corporation (TNAPEx)	Tailored business facilitation for food processing sector MSMEs	Supports the growth of Tamil Nadu’s agro and food processing sectors by offering resources, training, and tailored guidance to MSMEs, enabling them to enhance branding, packaging, and marketing. Support food processing MSMEs expand their reach in domestic and global markets. Facilitation of MSME investments in the food processing sector.	Visit Website
Tamil Nadu Coir Business Development Corporation (TANCOIR)	Market access and business facilitation services for the Coir sector.	Offers tailored guidance to MSMEs in the coir sector for accessing new domestic and export markets.	Visit Website
Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation (TANSIDCO)	Infrastructure access	Manages establishment, and allotment of land to industries in TANSIDCO industrial estates, and plug & play facilities.	Visit Website

District Industries Centres

Local facilitation for MSMEs

Key Responsibilities

Entrepreneurial Handholding

Handholding local entrepreneurs looking to setup new businesses and expand existing businesses.

Scheme & Subsidy Facilitation

Facilitate linkages and processing applications for MSME Department schemes, including incentives and subsidies.

Institutional Linkages

Enable entrepreneur linkages with agencies like FaMeTN, StartupTN, TNAPEx, TANCOIR for business facilitation.

Single Window Clearance

Facilitating Single Window Clearances for MSMEs at district level.

Single Window Facilitation for MSMEs

MSMEs can apply for requisite services and clearance through the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal, that houses 215+ services across 30+ Departments. MSME applications are periodically reviewed to ensure timely clearances.

Institutional Mechanism

MSME applications submitted through the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal are reviewed through a structured, three-tier mechanism to ensure timely processing.

Mechanism	Chairperson	Review Frequency
District Single Window Committee	District Collector	Bi-weekly
State Single Window Committee	Industries Commissioner and Director of Industries and Commerce	Monthly
MSME Investment Promotion and Monitoring Board	Hon’ble Minister for MSMEs	Quarterly

Key Resources for MSME investors

Resource	Description	Link to PDF
MSME Department Policy Note 2025-26	Annual statement of the MSME Department’s performance, reforms, and new initiatives.	View PDF
Tamil Nadu MSME Policy 2021	Forward looking policy to promote the growth of MSMEs in the state	View PDF
MSME Schemes Compendium	Comprehensive reference of all Union and State Government schemes, subsidies, and incentives for MSMEs.	View PDF
How to Start a Business in Tamil Nadu – MSME Handbook	Step-by-step procedural guide for entrepreneurs on establishing and operating an enterprise.	View PDF