Nine
Union ministers shared their thoughts on strategies to transform the textile sector
of the country, at Textiles India 2017 today. Detailed discussions were held on the
concluding day of the three-day mega trade fair, being held at Gandhinagar,
Gujarat.
In
his valedictory address, the Minister for Information
& Broadcasting, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Shri
M. Venkaiah Naidu said that the Government is committed to make India a global
textiles and apparel manufacturing hub; he said the Government will continue to
work in close collaboration with industry and academia, to ensure that the textile
sector flourishes. Shri Naidu said that the Government had brought in several
enabling policies and schemes in the manufacturing sector, particularly in
textiles, to make India the no. 1 manufacturing hub. He highlighted that considering
the potential of the sector to create employment, attract investment and
increase exports, the Government approved a special package for apparel sector in
June 2016, and a special package for made-ups in December 2016. He said
Textiles India 2017 has successfully managed to demonstrate India’s strength as
a sourcing and investment destination of the world.
The
Minister said that as the younger generation wants a change in speed, various
measures are being taken promptly. He pointed out all people of the country are
happy with the introduction of GST.
In
his address, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Dr. Arvind Panagariya said that the
textiles and clothing industry has a great potential for creating good jobs. He
added that Textiles India 2017 has been a momentous occasion for giving a
fillip in this direction.
In
her address, the Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani said that Textiles
India 2017 has proved that textiles sector was the sleeping giant that is now
roaring as the “Make In India” lion. She added that the outcomes of the event should
lead from one milestone to another, in achieving the objectives of making India
the leading textile manufacturing hub.
Seven conferences
were held earlier in the day, consisting of one global conference
of ASEAN countries and six national conferences, on
various topics concerning the textiles sector.
Productivity and Product
Diversification Challenges for Natural Fibres
As
chair of the national conference on “Productivity and Product Diversification Challenges for Natural Fibres”,
Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that natural fibres are the
backbone of Indian textile industry. He noted that natural fibre
production involves million of farmers and the industries using them create
rural jobs. Shri Singh said that despite stiff competition from synthetic
fibres, the demand for natural fibres is steadily increasing with a growing
population. The Minister said that given the limitation in increasing area under
cultivation, the only way to improve production is increasing productivity. He said
that introduction of high-yielding varieties, best agronomical practices,
efficient fibre extractors and effective utilization for diversified products will
improve productivity. He said that this is the right time for all stakeholders
to discuss and formulate a suitable strategy to increase productivity of all
natural fibres. The Textiles Minister added that steps will be taken for regular
exchange of information, knowledge and best practices between the two ministries.
Potential of Man-Made
Fibres in India
Chairing a session
on “Potential of Man-Made Fibre in India”, Union Minister for Chemicals and
Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri AnanthKumar said that man-made fibres are gaining wide
applications in both conventional and technical textiles. He said that considering
the global shift towards man-made fibres, India is focusing to establish itself
as a supplier of quality manmade textiles and apparel for the global market. The
Minister highlighted the major opportunities for investment in MMF textiles to
be in the following broad areas: import substitution, growing segments in
international trade and domestic market opportunities. He added that a group
will be formed for synergy between his Ministry and Ministry of Textiles, for
addressing challenges and opportunities jointly.
Exploring
Growth Potential of Technical Textiles in building India
A session chaired by Union Minister for Road
Transport, Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari was held on “Exploring Growth
Potential of Technical Textiles in building India”. Addressing the gathering,
the Minister said that geosynthetic fibers have huge potential in the
construction of roads and ports in the country, adding that it must be cost-effective
and done without compromising on quality. Shri Gadkari said that the
problems of the country are different from region to region; he said that we
should hence encourage innovation, research and entrepreneurship. The Minister
said that converting knowledge into wealth is the most important need of the
future. Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Ajay Tamta said that his ministry
is committed to provide innovative textile technology to various sectors like agriculture,
defence, health, sports construction and environment.
India as a Sourcing Hub and Investment Destination
Sharing her thoughts as Chair of a session on making
India a sourcing hub and investment destination for the world, Union Minister
for Commerce & Industry, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman recounted the historical
fact that the Indian textile sector had attained global eminence long before
many other sectors could establish themselves. Noting that India itself is a
very big market, the Minister said that the industry needs to tap opportunities
in both domestic as well as international markets. She said that at every stage
of the 5-F formula given by the Prime Minister, India is the best sourcing
platform. She highlighted the importance of interest subvention in lowering the
cost of capital for the industry. Smt. Sitharaman said that GST is going to be
a big blessing for the sector. Noting that the strength of the sector lies in
its niche areas, the Minister highlighted the need for greater creativity in
the industry. Addressing some questions from industry representatives, the
Minister spoke of the need to convert challenges into opportunities, and reminded
them that India has taken a principled position to have a duty-free and tariff
quota restriction – free relationship and trade with LDCs.
CEO, NITI Aayog, Shri Amitabh Kant highlighted the
importance of size and scale, as well as agility and speed to market, innovation
and digitization of the entire supply chain of the textiles sector.
Skilling Requirements in High Value Chain in
Textiles Sector
The session on skilling was chaired by the Union
Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
The Minister said that Skill India is an integral part of both Make in India and
Textiles India. Shri Rudy said that a key question facing the skill sector is
that of creating a basic first-level skilling ecosystem in the country. Citing examples
of various beneficiaries, the Minister highlighted the need for short-term
skilling programmes, and formal interventions for skilled manpower. He said
that work is being done in this direction by his Ministry, to address the
questions of how, for whom, where, curriculum, content, examination,
certification and employment as it relates to the skilling requirements of the
country. Noting that the largest employment among the organized workforce is in
the textiles sector, the Minister asserted his confidence in building a robust
skilling ecosystem in the country, in line with the vision of the Prime
Minister.
Minister of State, Textiles, Shri Ajay Tamta said that
the 65 MoUs signed during Textiles India 2017 will contribute towards improving
the skilling scenario in the textiles sector.
Carving
a Niche Market for Indian Handcrafted Goods
Chairing another parallel session, Union Minister
for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that our rich heritage and culture
is our identity & strength and that the motive of today’s conference was to
explore how we can take this rich heritage of the country to all corners of the
world. Speaking about GST, Dr. Sharma said that the Government of India has taken
a historic step in the field of taxation, due to which no artisan or craftsman
of our country will henceforth face any partiality regarding tax on their
products. He also mentioned the initiatives his ministry has taken to give unique
identity to each and every artisan, craftsman and artist of the country.
ASEAN
Conference
A
global conference of ASEAN countries was also held today. Delegates from all
ASEAN countries participated in the conference. The conference had two
sessions, one on “Building value chains in Textile Sector” and another on institutional
framework for promoting collaboration in textiles between India and ASEAN
countries.
Renowned national
and international speakers from different fields shared their thoughts during the above
conferences.
Mr. Gautam Nair, MD, Matrix
Clothing; Mr
Christain Schindler, Director General, International Textile Manufacturers
Federation (ITMF); Dr. Rohana Kuruppu, CEO, Brandix College
of Clothing Technology; Mr.
Richard McCallum, Managing Director, UKIBC; Mr. Philip Mc Goldrick,
International Technical Director, Strata Geosystem; Prof. Ing Thomas Chairman, ITA;
Ms Rosy Greenleese,
President, World Craft Council; Prof. Abdul Jabbar Khan, Bangladesh University of Engineering.
& Technology (BUET), Dhaka; Dr. Li Long,
Professor in Sericulture Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, China and Mr. Y. J Kim, Senior Consultant, Asia PTA DMT Polyesters are
some amongst them.
Chief
Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri
N. Chandrababu Naidu and Ministers representing Gujarat, Telangana,
Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Assam and Karnataka attended the event.
Global
citizens from 106 countries, 15,000 Indian buyers and sellers, 2,500
international buyers, international delegates and representatives and artisans
and weavers had come under one roof, for Textiles India 2017, an event that
brought together textiles, traditions and technology. The event is in line with
the Prime Minister’s desire to strengthen the entire Indian textile value
chain, comprising the journey of Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Fabric, Fabric to
Fashion and Fashion to Foreign.
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GG/KSP/DJM/J.Khunt/IJ