Chennai: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern region has demanded that the state governments in the South come out with a separate manufacturing policy as part of their industrial policy to boost the competitiveness of this sector in the emerging globalised scenerio.

Unveiling CII's strategic initiatives during this year, T Kannan, the newly elected regional president of CII told reporters that a separate manufacturing policy aimed at providing conditions conducive to the growth of this sector on the lines of China was the need of the hour.

He said for the first time CII would be embarking upon major initiatives in the sports sector. CII would be associating with the Andhra Pradesh government in the conduct of National games this year in that state.

He said a sub committee on sports had already been formed for the purpose, adding CII would also be associating with sports events for the physically challenged.

CII was actively involved with the creation of a "Knowledge township" at Sholinganallur near Chennai scheduled to be completed by 2005. The idea was to use this township to showcase Tamil Nadu as Number one FDI destination in the country.

This year's strategic initiatives also include plans to showcase the industrial potential of the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnakata, Kerala and the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

PTI