Move to close APEC Surat office irks textile traders

The Central government's decision to wind up the Surat office of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has drawn flak from all quarters.

AEPC is an autonomous body under the Union ministry of textiles, which was formed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. At a recent meeting, the government had decided to close down eight offices of AEPC, including the one in Surat, from April 2005.

"The AEPC is the only source of proper information for the garment exporters. Access to right information is all the more necessary in this era of globalisation. The closure of the AEPC office will have an adverse impact on the garment industry of Surat, and hence it should not be closed down, at least in the near future," the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry president Dinesh Mandalaywala said.

Mahendra Kajiwala, chairman, south Gujarat Confederation of Indian Industries council, also expressed similar views.

It's main aim is to provide information regarding international market trends, garment quality and other things to businessmen interested in garment exports.

AEPC has offices in eight cities, including Surat, which is the only one in Gujarat.

"The apparel industry is new in Surat, and it will take some time for the industry to develop a foothold in the city. The garment exporters depend on AEPC for information, and hence the decision to wind up the council's office is very wrong. If the government wants to close down the AEPC offices, it should wait for some time," Kajiwala said.

Surat Art Silk Cloth Manufacturers Association (SASCMA) president Arun Jariwala also criticised the decision.

"The closure of the Surat office of AEPC will cause great deal of difficulties for garment exporters. The garment industry of Surat is still young. AEPC is a must for it's development, and hence the office should not be closed," Jariwala said.

"An Apparel Park is being developed in Surat. The closure of the AEPC office would deter garment exporters from the city, and other places, from setting up units in the park. This would naturally have an adverse effect on the apparel park project," he said.

"The government is spending huge money for industrial infrastructure development. This is with the expectation that exports would increase. If the government is expecting a good show in garment exports from Surat and Gujarat, the AEPC office should not be closed," Jariwala said.

The business community will write to the Centre to reconsider the decision.

"We have not received any official information as yet about the decision to close down the AEPC office. Once we get it, we will make a representation to the Central government, asking it to reverse the decision," Jariwala added.

Former union textile minister Kashiram Rana has also criticised the decision. In a letter to Union textile minister Shankarsinh Vaghela, Rana stated, "The decision to close down the Surat office of AEPC would have an adverse affect on garment exports from the city. The textile industry would also be affected a great deal on account of this."

"The purpose of forming AEPC would be gone waste, if the office is closed," the letter added. Rana also asked Vaghela to reconsider the decision, in interest of the garment industry of Surat.