Apparel body asks exporters to ready for competition

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Ludhiana, in association with a central government body, organised a garment exporters' meet in Ludhiana today.

The main purpose of this meet was to educate garment exporters on increasing productivity and marketing their products so that they can compete with China as well as other countries of the world.

K K Jalan, secretary-general of the AEPC, and Neeraj Gupta, additional director general, foreign trade, addressed this meeting.

Addressing the exporters, Jalan said the export of readymade garments from India should increase.

"For this purpose the readymade garment exporters need to do extensive marketing of their products so that the world should know about Indian readymade garments. We all need to participate in international trade fairs more often. Earlier the exporters participated in only two or three international trade fairs every year. Last year, AEPC arranged for 6 foreign trade fairs for the exporters and also gave them a subsidy of almost 50 percent on the stalls put their by them. At the International Trade Fair held in France last year, Rs 350,000 stall was offered to the exporters by AEPC at a price of less than Rs 2 lakh. This year we plan to organize 10 trade fairs within and 10 outside the country because more you meet your buyers, the exports will increase subsequently.''

He also told them that AEPC has constructed an `Apparel Home' in 3 lakh square feet of land with a cost of Rs 65 crore.

"Meetings, trade fairs as well as seminars can be held there. I want you to tell me that to increase export, what kind of marketing space do you need in Ludhiana? The Apparel Export from India increased by 32 percent from that of last year, which is a good sign. The productivity in Apparel industry of our country has been increasing by 35 to 40 percent every year, while Chinese productivity of Apparel Industry is increasing by 60 to 70 percent and that of USA by more than 80 percent. Now this is the thing, which is pinching us because if the exporters need to compete with China, productivity has to be increased."

And for that we all need skilled manpower. For that, the exporters can train their unskilled workers at Apparel Textile and Design Center (ATDC), Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana with a subsidy of 40 percent. But I feel sad because none of the exporters used this facility at ATDC. If the exporters need to train their unskilled workers on any specific machines, which they themselves cannot afford to buy, AEPC can buy them for you.''

He also told that to increase productivity, AEPC is soon arranging foreign consultants for the exporters. ``One South African consultant Roger Thomas from Method Workshop will soon be appointed. If the exporters need any specific consultant to be hired, AEPC is willing to do that also.''

Neeraj Gupta, Additional Director General of Foreign Trade said that there is a growth in textile and apparel sector of the country from last year. ``It is sad that Ludhiana, famous for its textile and apparel industry, is far behind from Bangalore in productivity. All exporters are most welcome for any help they need from me.''