The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) organized the Stakeholder Consultation Workshop for TN AVGC-XR Policy 2023 on 22nd September 2023, at Taj Coromandel, Chennai. There was forthcoming participation from the industry, industry associations and the government. Several local AVGC-XR companies also participated in the workshop.

The Indian AVGC-XR sector has witnessed unprecedented growth rate in recent times and is expected to grow exponentially in the coming decade. The AVGC-XR sector has the potential to produce powerful content and intellectual property that can contribute to India’s GDP growth and employment.

To promote this growing sector, the Government of Tamil Nadu is in the process of formulating‘TN AVGC-XR Policy 2023’. Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Hon'ble Minister of IT&DS of Tamil Nadu has announced the state's vision to harness the potential of the AVGC-XR sectors by introducing a dedicated policy. This policy aims to position Tamil Nadu as the preferred destination for global AVGC-XR investment, focusing on key areas such as Industry Development, Education and Skilling, Access to Infrastructure & Technology, and Enhancing Financial Viability.

This consultative workshop was therefore organized with the primary objective of bringing together key stakeholders including industry, government, and academia, to share their insights that would help in shaping the State AVGC-XR Policy, and subsequently enhance the positioning of Tamil Nadu’s AVGC-XR sector on the national as well as global platform.

Representatives of various leading companies, industry bodies and stakeholders of AVGC-XR association VEGAS (Visual Effects – Gaming & Animation Society) working in the M&E and AVGC-XR space participated in the workshop and shared their insights on promoting the sector in the country.

Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister for IT&DS, Tamil Nadu delivered the keynote address on Tamil Nadu’s commitment to AVGC-XR Industry and the government’s aspiration to take the state’s culture to global audience. Reiterating the integral role of language, literature, creativity, and culture, he highlighted that AVGC-XR sector is seen as a special vertical in the state.

The workshop also witnessed the presence of industry stalwarts such as Mr. Prashanth Thiagarajan, Mr. Bejoy Arputharaj, Mr.K. Kumar, Mr. Dilip Chenoy, Ms. Preeti Vyas, Mr. Sathish Guptha, Mr. Munjal B. Shroff, among various esteemed panellists, who presented their insights on strengthening the AVGC-XR ecosystem in the state by way of focusing on key pillars such as infrastructure, finance, technology, promotion of local content, education and skilling.

The workshop was facilitated by Primus Partners.

Mr. Sameer Jain, Mr. Arun Moral and Mr. Manoj Kurbet moderated the sessions in the workshop. Mr. Sameer Jain also presented the industry’s expectations for growth of the AVGC-XR sector in Tamil Nadu.

• As part of the Stakeholder Consultation Workshop for TN AVGC-XR Policy 2023, Mr. Sameer Jain, MD, Primus Partners, moderated a session on Creating an Ecosystem to Strengthen the AVGC-XR sector in Tamil Nadu. The panel had participation from industry stalwarts such as Mr. Prashanth Thiagarajan, Mr. Bejoy Arputharaj, Mr. B.S. Srinivas, Mr. Arjun Sarode, Mr. Alagarsamy Mayan, Mr. Joy Bhattacharjya, who brought in interesting aspects focusing on infrastructure, finance, innovation, and global access to promote the growth of AGVC-XR sector in the state.
• Mr. Manoj Kurbet, AVP, Primus Partners, moderated a session on “Bridging the Demand-Supply Talent Gap in the AVGC-XR sector”, as part of the Stakeholder Consultation Workshop for TN AVGC-XR Policy 2023. Quality and quantity matter, and we're committed to supporting the Government of Tamil Nadu in nurturing a workforce that meets the demand.
• The third-panel discussion in the Stakeholder Consultation Workshop for TN AVGC-XR Policy 2023, moderated by Mr. Arun Moral, MD, Primus Partners, focuses on "Promoting Local Culture, Stories & Artists to a Global Audience." This endeavor holds immense potential, offering a gateway for Indian culture to resonate worldwide, fostering connections with the Indian diaspora, creating job opportunities, and energizing tourism and allied industries. India's AVGC sector is experiencing remarkable growth, attracting global players seeking to tap into India's talent pool for offshore services.
• As part of an endeavour to ensure that voices of industry, academia and government are heard for drafting the TN AVGC-XR Policy, the last panel discussion moderated by Mr. Arun Moral, MD, Primus Partners, focused on gathering insights from various Departments under Government of Tamil Nadu that are crucial stakeholders for the AVGC-XR sector. The panelists shared their insights on the initiatives taken by each of the departments, and the role that they envisage to play in strengthening the AVGC-XR ecosystem in the state.