November 29, 2001
'19'
FIRST EVER INTERNATIONAL SILK CONGRESS IN INDIA
The first ever 4-day International Silk Congress in India will begin from 3rd December, 2001 at Banglore. Organised by Central Silk Board and International Silk Association will definitely boost domestic silk industry and silk exporters. This mega fair will attract over 200 businessmen/agencies involved in silk trade from 35 countries. The Minister of State for Textiles, Mr. V. Dhananjaya Kumar, stating the motive behind organising this international event, said in New Delhi today that during this congress more attention will be focussed on issues like emerging challenges of the free trade regime, sustenance of production and supply of quality raw silk, popularization of silk as eco-friendly fibre and enlarging its consumer base. This exhibition would provide an opportunity for the South Indian silk manufacturers to go in for newer garments using other varieties of silk like eri, muga and tusar who till now are exposed to mulberry silk only, he said.
The Minister of State for Textiles admitted that Indian Silk Export did suffer a jolt after the Sept.11 attack in United States as New York was the main centre for Indian exports. India being the second largest silk producer in the world after China will be benefited with this Congress as the silk production has declined in various countries and the yarn importers are looking for alternate countries to China for fulfillment of their requirement. This International Fair will also provide a platform for industrialists, technocrats and policy makers to interact with their counterparts and to analyse global trends besides giving an opportunity to the local silk manufacturers and traders to showcase their products and build up lasting business relationships, he asserted.